Esteemed comedian, actress, and sitcom writer, Mitzi McCall passed away on August 8, 2024. She died at the age of 93 in southern California. McCall was renowned for her collaboration with her husband, Charlie Brill.
Brill, who was her partner for 64 years, announced her death on Facebook. In a heartfelt post, he shared his profound grief, writing, “I lost my Mitzi last night. Rest in peace, my one and only love…Rest in peace and laughter.”
McCall was born Mitzi Steiner on September 9, 1930, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She started her career in local television garnering recognition for her pantomime acts on WDTV’s “Kiddie Castle.” An impactful incident during this period involved McCall’s television performance inspiring a young girl with a cleft palate to articulate correctly, a testament to her influence throughout her career.
Upon moving to Hollywood, McCall signed with Paramount and made her debut in 1955’s “You’re Never Too Young,” alongside Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. Her career in film and television prospered, and her partnership with Charlie Brill became a cornerstone of her life.
The comedy pair “McCall & Brill” made a name for themselves through their appearances on variety shows like “The Tonight Show” and “Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In.” Their performance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” on February 9, 1964, is particularly notable. The duo shared the stage with The Beatles during their American debut. Despite a lukewarm response from the young audience, McCall and Brill later regarded the experience as a badge of honor. “They didn’t have this expression then, but we sucked,” McCall remembered during a 2005 episode of NPR’s “This American Life.”
McCall also had a successful independent career, especially as a voiceover artist. She voiced characters in animated series such as “Mother Goose and Grimm,” “The Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show,” “Darkwing Duck,” “Yo Yogi!,” and “Ice Age” (2002). Additionally, she made appearances on numerous television shows, including “The Twilight Zone,” “Seinfeld,” “Dharma & Greg,” and “Silk Stalkings.”
Her writing contributions spanned sitcoms like “Eight Is Enough,” “One Day at a Time,” “ALF,” “Mr. Belvedere,” “Charles in Charge,” and “Free for All.” McCall’s multifaceted talents as both a performer and writer earned her respect within the entertainment industry.
Charlie Brill and their daughter, Jennifer, survive Mitzi McCall.
