DELICIOUS remembers Betty Garrett

L.A. Weekly's 2005 Queen of the Angels, Betty Garrett, died Saturday morning of natural

causes at UCLA Medical Center following a brief illness. She was surrounded by her

family at the time of her death. She was 91.

A revered figure in the Los Angeles theater community, she was the recipient of nearly
every artistic award the city could bestow, including Career Achievement Awards from the
Los Angeles Drama Critics' Circle and the Ovation Awards, and the Queen of the Angels
Award from L.A. Weekly. She was a founding member of the 49-year-old Theatre West, and
was moderator of its Musical Comedy workshop until the time of her death. She frequently
appeared on the Theatre West stage. Her final shows there included "Nunsense," the Los
Angeles premiere of Noel Coward's "Waiting in the Wings," and a revue, "Betty Garrett,
Closet Songwriter."

A Broadway star, she appeared in thirteen Broadway shows, among them "Call Me Mister,"

"Bells Are Ringing," "The Supporting Cast," the revival of "Follies," and the 1963

production of "Spoon River Anthology" originally developed at Theatre West.

She appeared in a dozen films, including classic Hollywood musicals including "Words and

Music," "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," "Neptune's Daughter," "On The Town," "Hit Parade

of 1951," and "My Sister Eileen."

She was also a popular television performer, best known for her work on "All in the
Family," for which she received a Golden Globe ®, and "Laverne and Shirley." She
received an Emmy ® nomination in 2003 for a guest appearance on "Becker." Her final TV
appearance was on "Grey's Anatomy" in 2006.

Betty Garrett received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003.
A longtime social activist, in her later years she was active in supporting activities
of charities assisting those living with HIV/AIDS.

Widowed in 1975 from the late actor Larry Parks, she is survived by her son , actor
Andrew Parks and his wife Katy Melody; her son, composer Garrett Parks and his wife,
actor Karen Culliver Parks; and a granddaughter, Madison Claire Parks.
A memorial will be planned for a later date. Donations in Ms. Garrett's memory can be
made to Theatre West, the Actors' Fund, or S.T.A.G.E.

Betty Garrett (1919 - 2011)