Charlotte Rae

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Birthday:

22 April 1926, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

Birth Name:

Charlotte Rae Lubotsky

Height:

157 cm

This Milwaukee native was born in 1926, where she was raised on a farm, with her two sisters (Beverly, Mimi), with Charlotte being the second of her three. Rae wanted to be a dramatic actress, but eventually wound up being a comedienne, all because of her stand-up comedy routines. After graduating from high school, she attended Northwestern University, where she met the unfamiliar actress Cloris Leachman, and would be best friends for life. She actually created the role of "Beverly" for Cloris to play on The Facts of Life (1979), all this was after Rae left the show. She dropped out of college and moved to New York City, and began a career as a stage actress, performing in such plays like: "Pickwick", when she was nominated in 1966 for Best Featured Actress in a Musical and, in 1969, for Best Actress in a Play for "Morning, Noon and Night". All this was after she co-starred with Fred Gwynne and Al Lewis in Car 54, Where Are You? (1961). She would live there up until 1974, at the time she moved to Los Angeles, this eventually led her to become an actress. She was nominated for an Emmy Award for her supporting role in the 1975 drama, Queen of the Stardust Ballroom (1975). After guest-starring on numerous shows, including Norman Lear's All in the Family (1971) and Good Times (1974), Lear hired her old friend to co-star on Diff'rent Strokes (1978) as Gary Coleman's housekeeper, "Edna Garrett". Within a year, she gained popularity with her character, which eventually led her to having her own series, The Facts of Life (1979). Between Norman Lear and NBC gave her greenlight to star in her own show, which focused primarily on a houselady, residing in an all-girls school, which was the exact opposite of "Diff'rent Strokes". This series featured rookie actresses Kim Fields as resident gossip "Tootie" and Lisa Whelchel as rich spoiled brat "Blair Warner". Before then, she approached young Mindy Cohn at Westlake School in Los Angeles, California, and suggested that she take the role of smart "Natalie Green", a character that Charlotte created for her, which was named after one of her best friends from high school, which successful, she did and stayed on the show for 8 seasons. Rae left the show in 1986, despite all the fame she had gained, owing to a health problem, who later returned to the stage, displeasing the show's producers. In 1992, she was the voice of "Aunt Christine Figg" in Tom and Jerry: The Movie (1992). She also appeared in "The Vagina Monologues" in New York. In 2000, she starred as "Berthe" in the Paper Mill Playhouse production of "Pippin". In 2007, she appeared in a cabaret show at the Plush Room in San Francisco for several performances. In the 2008 movie, You Don't Mess with the Zohan (2008), Rae has a role as an older woman who has a fling with Adam Sandler's character. On February 18, 2009, she appeared in a small role as "Mrs. Ford" on the "I Heart Mom" episode.Towards the end of the new millennium, Rae attended the James Stewart Centennial Tribute at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, California, which was hosted by Robert Wagner. Among the attendees were Ann Rutherford, Shirley Jones, Cora Sue Collins, and Stewart's daughter, Kelly Stewart. Carroll Baker was also supposed to have attended the tribute, but if she did, she is nowhere to be found in the Academy's photos. Rae's older sister, Beverly, died from pancreatic cancer in 1998, her divorced husband of 35 years, John Strauss, had died, after a long battle of Parkinson's disease, in 2011. A pancreatic cancer survivor, around the same time after John's death, she continues to act while making guest appearances everywhere, especially TV Land, which her show, The Facts of Life (1979), won the award. Show less «

I can't even go to Barbados without people wanting to hug me and 'Oh, Mrs. Garrett!', you know, it [The Facts of Life] really had an impact ...Show more »

I can't even go to Barbados without people wanting to hug me and 'Oh, Mrs. Garrett!', you know, it [The Facts of Life] really had an impact on their lives. Show less «

[Who said in 1979 about her small, awkward, plump stature]: How did I fit? I didn't. I felt inferior. I had this tremendous need to perform....Show more »

[Who said in 1979 about her small, awkward, plump stature]: How did I fit? I didn't. I felt inferior. I had this tremendous need to perform. I wanted to be acceptable to my peers. To feel equal. I had an older sister, Beverly, who seemed to be very secure. I had a younger sister, Mimi, who was cute! I thought if I could just be a big star, I'd feel like somebody too. Show less «

[on theater]: I became drunk with power. I was burning to get to New York. But my parents begged me to stay. I needed to graduate, they said...Show more »

[on theater]: I became drunk with power. I was burning to get to New York. But my parents begged me to stay. I needed to graduate, they said. I did soap opera on radio in Chicago. When I told the director my name was Lubotsky, he said, 'But you can't use that.' My father was very hurt. 'But why?,' he wanted to know. Show less «

[on Teresa Brewer]: Teresa Brewer and I stood on the bar and sang 'Can't Help Lovin' That Man' and 'Cockeyed Optimist. Sometimes a drunk wou...Show more »

[on Teresa Brewer]: Teresa Brewer and I stood on the bar and sang 'Can't Help Lovin' That Man' and 'Cockeyed Optimist. Sometimes a drunk would give me 50 cents. My father came in once and nearly died. With tears in his eyes, he told me the cigarette girl had tried to hustle him. Show less «

[on her professional friendship with Norman Lear]: So open. So up front. Not a big shot. Not afraid to take a risk, make a mistake.

You can take wonderfully talented actors, wonderfully talented writers and producers, and, uh, do a wonderful show!... but if it doesn't hit...Show more »

You can take wonderfully talented actors, wonderfully talented writers and producers, and, uh, do a wonderful show!... but if it doesn't hit with the public in two minutes, it's bye-bye. Show less «

Because of the power of television, I was visible to everybody all over the world. But there are many things in the theater that are more fu...Show more »

Because of the power of television, I was visible to everybody all over the world. But there are many things in the theater that are more fulfilling and that I look forward to doing more. But really, I love it all: theater, film, television. Show less «

[As to how she was hired by Norman Lear to play Edna Garrett]: I got involved with 'Diff'rent Strokes,' because of Norman Lear. When I was i...Show more »

[As to how she was hired by Norman Lear to play Edna Garrett]: I got involved with 'Diff'rent Strokes,' because of Norman Lear. When I was in New York ginally], I did a lot of things and one of the things was 'The Colgate Comedy Hour,' and he was one of the producers and writers of it. So, when I came out to California [after many years in New York with my family], they were very, very wonderful, because I would do little guest shots, guest appearances on all of his sitcoms, and then I was doing something called 'The Eddie Capra Murder Mysteries,' and I was at Universal in costume, and they called and asked me to come meet with the producers, and everything. I was wearing an old schweppy thing that I wore for the character for the murder mysteries, and I sat down and I expected to read. They didn't have me read, we just talked, and they asked me about how I felt this housekeeper should be with these two boys and with Mr. Drummond, and I told him the way I felt, and the next thing I knew I had the part. Show less «

Joan Collins is a bitch! There's no doubt about it, everyone says she an extremely difficult person.

[About The Facts of Life (1979) along with her Edna Garrett character]: I want to bring in as much humanity as possible, as well as the humo...Show more »

[About The Facts of Life (1979) along with her Edna Garrett character]: I want to bring in as much humanity as possible, as well as the humor. I've tried to make her a human being with dimensions. The way they write her now is with a great deal of sensitivity and understanding. But I don't want her to be Polly Perfect, because she must have human failings and make mistakes. She's also a surrogate mother to the girls. I told them I wanted to be firm with the girls because I know it's important. Parents must lay down ground rules for their children to help them to grow up and to learn responsibility for their actions. They must learn to stand on their own two feet. Show less «

[Who said in 1985 about being a serious actress, rather than being a funny comedienne]: A good actress should be able to play comedy as well...Show more »

[Who said in 1985 about being a serious actress, rather than being a funny comedienne]: A good actress should be able to play comedy as well as drama. I was doing a lot of drama until I took the comedy role in the series 'Car 54, Where Are You?,' and I've been tagged as a comedian ever since. Show less «

[Who said in 1982 when she headed to New York, when she dropped her last name]: My father was heartbroken when I didn't use Lubotsky. Today ...Show more »

[Who said in 1982 when she headed to New York, when she dropped her last name]: My father was heartbroken when I didn't use Lubotsky. Today actors keep their real names and I could use it. Show less «

[on the death of Gary Coleman]: Coleman was filled with joy which he spread around to millions of people all over the world.

Composers, artists, actors, singers, all of them. I think, unconsciously learn from others. I'm sure it's not conscious, but they can't help...Show more »

Composers, artists, actors, singers, all of them. I think, unconsciously learn from others. I'm sure it's not conscious, but they can't help it. I know I was influenced by Beatrice Lillie. I must have been. Show less «

[Despite her ongoing feud with Joan Collins, she responded in 2007 if other stars, who would want to work with Joan]: It's a miracle that pe...Show more »

[Despite her ongoing feud with Joan Collins, she responded in 2007 if other stars, who would want to work with Joan]: It's a miracle that people still want to work with her, but I guess they do! Show less «

[In 2006]: I wanted to be a serious actress. I am a serious actress. I've done lots of good stuff.

[Who laughed about one of the songs she used to sing]: In those days, you could do things that were risqué. The lyrics were clever. Where w...Show more »

[Who laughed about one of the songs she used to sing]: In those days, you could do things that were risqué. The lyrics were clever. Where would I be without those writers? Show less «

For the first ten years of my life I lived at 1232 N. 12th St. It's a freeway now. My father owned a tire store. There were three girls in m...Show more »

For the first ten years of my life I lived at 1232 N. 12th St. It's a freeway now. My father owned a tire store. There were three girls in my family, and I was the middle one. All three of us were very talented. My older sister, Beverly, settled in Milwaukee and she died a few years ago. She was an opera singer who sang with the symphony and a group called the Saturday Arts' Club. My younger sister, Mimi, is an accomplished musician and composer. She wrote a children's album that I recorded for her, called "Wally Koala" and she's written a couple of musicals as well. Show less «

[Who said of Gary Coleman's death in 2010]: I said a prayer for him this morning after hearing about his condition. Gary was so loving, so c...Show more »

[Who said of Gary Coleman's death in 2010]: I said a prayer for him this morning after hearing about his condition. Gary was so loving, so charming. He was the big star of the show. Show less «

[In 1989]: I'm in a rage, if you really want to know about it.

[In 1988]: My former husband wanted to move to California. He is a music editor and music coordinator. He coordinated the music for the film...Show more »

[In 1988]: My former husband wanted to move to California. He is a music editor and music coordinator. He coordinated the music for the film version of 'Amadeus.' So many people have moved there from New York, and I felt at home. Show less «

[on her popularity while playing the fifty-something Edna Garrett on The Facts of Life]: There have been lots of changes in my life these pa...Show more »

[on her popularity while playing the fifty-something Edna Garrett on The Facts of Life]: There have been lots of changes in my life these past few months. Not only am I thinner, but Mrs. Garrett is, too. It'll be a fun season. Show less «

[Who said in 1980 about an episode which she wasn't inspired to lose weight]: Yes, in that show, I was on a crash diet. But I had plans long...Show more »

[Who said in 1980 about an episode which she wasn't inspired to lose weight]: Yes, in that show, I was on a crash diet. But I had plans long before that to sensibly lose weight. I've dropped from a size 14 dress to a svelte 8; it's terrific. Show less «

[Who responded in 1984 as to why she enjoys series television]: In TV, you have to compromise. But when strangers put their arms around you ...Show more »

[Who responded in 1984 as to why she enjoys series television]: In TV, you have to compromise. But when strangers put their arms around you and tell you how much they love you it somehow makes it all worthwhile. Show less «

[Of Joan Collins]: You want to know what happened? They played it for her and she said, 'Who's that Old Cow?' And I really felt badly becaus...Show more »

[Of Joan Collins]: You want to know what happened? They played it for her and she said, 'Who's that Old Cow?' And I really felt badly because I've had a long siege of the flu, and it was my first night out. I did write a note to her and had him slip it under her dressing room door and I said, 'I apologized, you were excellent in the play, signed, sincerely, 'The Old Cow.' Show less «

I have to keep reminding people that I am not Mrs. Garrett. Mrs. Garrett is more together. She is much more organized. Not I ...

[on her departure of The Facts of Life (1979), at the end of the seventh season]: They wanted me to stay a couple more years, they offered m...Show more »

[on her departure of The Facts of Life (1979), at the end of the seventh season]: They wanted me to stay a couple more years, they offered me millions. Show less «

[Of Mindy Cohn]: I kept going back to this little girl, Mindy Cohn, cause she was so adorable and she had that adorable little voice, and I ...Show more »

[Of Mindy Cohn]: I kept going back to this little girl, Mindy Cohn, cause she was so adorable and she had that adorable little voice, and I asked her a question, and she go, 'Well, I don't know, it seems to me that,' and she's so cute and funny and I said, 'She'd be a great compliment to the other girls.' Show less «

I had to act because I couldn't do anything else.

[2011] I was thinking of a tree that grows up straight to the sky. Why, what did you think?

[In 2015]: If this is your passion don't judge yourself. Just keep striving. Life is one long day at school. Keep working and growing in you...Show more »

[In 2015]: If this is your passion don't judge yourself. Just keep striving. Life is one long day at school. Keep working and growing in your art. Show less «

[If she had turned down a role before playing Edna Garrett]: Yes. I've turned things down. Sometimes because I've just finished something el...Show more »

[If she had turned down a role before playing Edna Garrett]: Yes. I've turned things down. Sometimes because I've just finished something else an I'm too exhausted or sometimes the material just doesn't grab me. I've been offered TV pilots I didn't think would fly - and even if they did go to series those weren't shows I'd want to be on for years and years. When my boys were young, I turned things down to spend time with them. It was something I needed to do-for them and for me. Show less «