Who Am I? March 2024

I was born in Jersey City. My mom, Rachel, hailed from Lithuania and worked as a fortune teller. My dad, Sigmund Archur, was an immigrant from Warsaw and worked as a sort of hypnotist. In Jersey City I graduated from P.S.No.17 and Lincoln High School. In those days I’d often hang out at the J.C.C. in Jersey City.

My mom, Rachel, was a stage mom if ever there was one. I made my debut at age 4 doing a wicked Carmen Miranda imitation replete with all that fruity headgear! I went on to have a career as a talk-show regular, a club and concert singer, a regular in series television, a stage and film actress, and a game show panelist.

In the 1950’s I was an understudy on Broadway in a vehicle starring Judy Holliday. During its long run I began dating its well-known lyricist who was also a playwright and screenwriter. We had a “marriage made in heaven” that was to last over 40 years. Without any regrets I took 15 years off from my career to raise my 2 precious children.

I made my modest film debut as a minor character in a movie starring William Holden and Kim Novak. Years later, I had good billing in a movie based on a novel written by Phillip Roth. In all I’ve appeared in 17 feature films.

I am a breast cancer survivor. Perhaps as result of that experience I have raised millions of dollars for the health care of women in the arts. My efforts have won me a Stevenson award. I also launched an eponymous initiative that holds regular fund-raising galas for women’s health. 

I believe I was the first female guest host for Johnny Carson. (no, I am not Joan Rivers!) I’ve had a one-woman show and have written an autobiography. I’m pretty sure you know who I am by now.

(1a)Who Am I? (1b)How did my mom bill herself professionally? (1c)How did my dad bill himself professionally? (2a)Name at least 2 game shows I appeared on as a panelist. (2b)What movie did I debut in? (2c)Which movie, based on a Phillip Roth novel, did I appear in? (2d)Who was my famous spouse? (3a)What is the name of my eponymous initiative for women’s health? (3b)What is the name of our fundraising gala? (4)What is the title of my memoir/autobiography? (5a)What annoying diet have I tried? (5b)I had the same dog for over 18 years. What was his name?