Ann Sothern.

Harriette Arlene Lake

Born 22 Jan 1909 Valley City, United States

Died 15 Mar 2001 Ketchum, United States

Citizenship United States

Would Be 117 yr If Living

13 min read

Reading time

2,480

Words

Oct 1, 2026

Published

Awards

TL;DR

Ann Sothern worked as an extra starting in 1927. She gained attention playing the brassy showgirl Maisie in the 1939 film Maisie and its sequels, a role originally intended for Jean Harlow. She later moved to television, starring as Susie McNamara in Private Secretary 1953 and The Ann Sothern Show 1958. In 1987, she earned an Academy Award nomination for her supporting role in The Whales of August. She won a Golden Globe and has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Identity & family.

KIN · 3

Names, aliases, and relatives of Ann Sothern — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name Harriette Arlene Lake

Aliases Harriet Byron, Harriette Lake, Joan Larrabee, Foxy McNamara, Ann Southern

Spouses: Robert Sterling Roger Pryor
Children: Tisha Sterling

At a glance.

STATS

Ann Sothern by the numbers — life, work, and family.

92 Years lived

2 Awards

2 Marriages

1 Child

Who was Ann Sothern?

BIOGRAPHY

Ann Sothern — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

Ann Sothern came into the world on January 22, 1909, in Valley City, North Dakota, as Harriette Arlene Lake. Her mother, Annette, was a concert singer who traveled extensively; her father, Walter, was born in Illinois. Her paternal grandfather, Simon Lake, invented the modern submarine. She studied at Central High School in Minneapolis, where she was a classmate of actor Eddie Albert, and later attended the University of Washington and the MacPhail Center for Music. Her early exposure to music and performance through her mother led her to pursue singing and acting.

Career

Ann Sothern worked as an extra in 1927, starting her film career. Originally a redhead, she bleached her hair blonde for comedy roles. After Broadway and MGM stints, she signed with Columbia for Let’s Fall in Love 1933. The next year she co-starred with Eddie Cantor in Kid Millions 1934. After Columbia dropped her in 1936, she moved to RKO without improvement. In 1938 she left RKO and played a tart in Trade Winds 1938, which won her an MGM contract. MGM gave her the lead in a B comedy about a brassy showgirl, Maisie 1939, which became a hit and spawned sequels. She appeared in well-received features such as Brother Orchid 1940, Cry Havoc 1943, and A Letter to Three Wives 1949. When film roles dried up in the 1950s, she turned to television, starring as the meddlesome Susie McNamara in Private Secretary 1953-1957. She followed with The Ann Sothern Show 1958-1961. In 1965, she voiced the 1928 Porter in My Mother the Car 1965. She earned an Academy Award nomination for her performance as the neighbor of Lillian Gish and Bette Davis in The Whales of August 1987.

Personal life

Ann Sothern married Roger Pryor on September 27, 1936; they divorced in 1943. She married Robert Sterling on May 23, 1943; they divorced on March 7, 1949. Her only child, Tisha Sterling, was born on December 10, 1944. Sothern was close friends with Lucille Ball, Ann Dvorak, and Merv Griffin; she encouraged Griffin to enter television. She was a lifelong Republican and an outspoken anti-Communist who supported HUAC hearings. Among her business interests were a dress shop, a gift shop, a Black Angus ranch, a music publishing company, and a sewing-center shop. She suffered from hepatitis, which left her overweight, and wore only black on her TV sitcoms to conceal her figure.

Legacy

Ann Sothern made history as the first working woman on an American sitcom, playing Susie McNamara on Private Secretary 1953. She earned a Golden Globe Award and received two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Her Maisie character starred in a film series spanning eight years. She earned an Academy Award nomination in 1987 for The Whales of August. In 2019, Turner Classic Movies honored her with a day of her films during Summer Under the Stars. She is remembered for her brassy, energetic screen presence and her pioneering television work.

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 2

Every award, honor, and recognition received by Ann Sothern — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

Golden Globe Awards
star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Notable quotes.

QUOTES · 6

A wall of memorable lines from Ann Sothern — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.

Good Night . . . and Stay Happy.
Hollywood Sold Its Stars on Good Looks and Personality Build-ups. We Weren’t Really Actresses in the True Sense. We Were Just Big Names – the Products of a Good Publicity Department. Today’s Crop of Actresses and Actors Have Real Talent. Good Looks Are No Longer an Essential Part of the Business.
Listen, I Never Asked to Be in Show Business. It Was My Mother’s Idea.
People Never Think of Me as a Singer. but Singers Aren’t Always Good Actresses, And, Thank Goodness, They Think of Me as an Actress.
I Only Like Character Parts. I Never Wanted to Be a Leading Woman.
I’ll Never Do a Television Show That Children Can’t See. It’s the Duty of Everyone in Television to Keep Their Shows for the Family Audience.

Did you know?

FACTS · 35

Little-known facts about Ann Sothern — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

Ann Sothern’s paternal grandfather, Simon Lake, invented the modern submarine. Her sister Marion was once a secretary to columnist Abigail Van Buren. Her mother, Annette, was a concert singer; Ann followed suit studying singing and musical composition.
She was good friends with Lucille Ball and Ann Dvorak, met while working as a chorus girl Ball at Goldwyn Studios, Dvorak at MGM.
In her role as Susie McNamara on Private Secretary 1953-1958, Sothern played the first working woman on an American sitcom.
Her business interests included a dress shop and gift shop in Idaho, a ranch for breeding Black Angus beef, a music publishing company, and a sewing-center shop.
She replaced Jean Harlow in Maisie 1939 after Harlow’s unexpected death.
A singer in her early career, she sang with Artie Shaw and His Orchestra. She was also a published songwriter and recorded two albums.
Appeared with her daughter Tisha Sterling in The Whales of August 1987, portraying a younger version of herself.
Sothern was lifelong friends with Merv Griffin. She encouraged Griffin to try television, leading to his successful career.
She introduced Elaine Anderson to novelist John Steinbeck; Anderson later became Steinbeck’s wife and estate administrator.
After her film career waned in 1953, she debuted as Suzie McNamara on Private Secretary after a TV series based on Maisie failed to materialize.
She once quipped that she had done everything in the entertainment business except rodeo.
Her younger sister Bonnie Lake was a singer/songwriter who wrote standards such as Sandman, recorded by Tommy Dorsey and Benny Goodman.
She sang the Oscar-winning song The Last Time I Saw Paris in Lady Be Good 1941.
Hepatitis left her visibly overweight, she wore only black outfits on her 1950s sitcoms to conceal her figure.
She wanted to play the prostitute in Lost Horizon 1937, but Isabel Jewell got the role.
Portrayed Maisie Ravier on Mutual Radio’s The Adventures of Maisie 1949-1951.
She was a lifelong conservative Republican who supported Dwight D. Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, and other GOP presidents, and attended several Republican National Conventions.
Her sister Marion was a secretary to Abigail Van Buren.
In the television remake of A Letter to Three Wives 1985, she played the role originally played by Connie Gilchrist.
Replaced Kim Stanley at the last minute in A Death of Innocence 1971, which featured her daughter Tisha Sterling.
Although announced for Du Barry Was a Lady 1943, the role went to Lucille Ball.
On August 12, 2019, she was honored by Turner Classic Movies for Summer Under the Stars.
She sang on tour with husband Roger Pryor’s band.
After appearing in Hotel for Women 1939, she turned down a long-term contract with 20th Century-Fox in favor of MGM; Fox reportedly cut her role to favor Linda Darnell.
Gave birth to her only child, Tisha Sterling, on December 10, 1944.
Awarded two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame: for Motion Pictures at 1612 Vine Street and for Television at 1634 Vine Street.
Interred at Ketchum Cemetery in Ketchum, Idaho.
Co-starred with Franchot Tone in the first American film to play in newly-liberated Copenhagen May 1945 after WWII, Fast and Furious 1939.
Became a grandmother at age 57 when Tisha gave birth to Heidi K. Baum on March 3, 1966.
Profiled in the book Funny Ladies by Stephen Silverman.
Classmate of actor Eddie Albert at Minneapolis Central High School 1926.
Daughter of Walter and Annette née Nielsen Lake. Paternal grandparents Frank and Sarah Lake emigrated from England.
Two months pregnant with Tisha when completing Maisie Goes to Reno 1944.
Returned to work eight months after giving birth to film Up Goes Maisie 1946.
Co-starred with Robert Young in three movies: Dangerous Number 1937, Maisie 1939, and Lady Be Good 1941.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 45

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Ann Sothern.

When was Ann Sothern born?

Ann Sothern was born on January 22, 1909. She was born in Valley City, North Dakota, under the birth name Harriette Arlene Lake.
Where was Ann Sothern born?

Ann Sothern was born in Valley City, North Dakota, USA. She was delivered in a small town that later honored her career.
When did Ann Sothern die?

Ann Sothern died on March 15, 2001. She was 92 years old at the time of her death.
How old was Ann Sothern when she died?

Ann Sothern was 92 years old when she died. She passed away on March 15, 2001.
Where did Ann Sothern die?

Ann Sothern died in Ketchum, Idaho, USA. She was interred at Ketchum Cemetery in the same town.
How did Ann Sothern die?

Ann Sothern died of heart failure. She passed away at her home in Ketchum, Idaho.
What was Ann Sothern's real name?

Ann Sothern’s birth name was Harriette Arlene Lake. She also performed under aliases including Harriet Byron, Harriette Lake, and Joan Larrabee.
What did Ann Sothern do for a living?

Ann Sothern was an actress, music crew member, and soundtrack artist. She worked in film, television, radio, and stage throughout her career.
What nationality was Ann Sothern?

Ann Sothern was an American. She held United States citizenship.
What language did Ann Sothern speak?

Ann Sothern spoke English as her native language.
Who was Ann Sothern married to?

Ann Sothern was married twice. First to Roger Pryor from September 1936 to May 1943, and then to Robert Sterling from May 1943 to March 1949.
Did Ann Sothern have children?

Yes, Ann Sothern had one child: a daughter named Tisha Sterling, born on December 10, 1944. Tisha is also an actress.
Where did Ann Sothern go to school?

Ann Sothern attended Central High School in Minneapolis, the University of Washington, and the MacPhail Center for Music. She studied singing and musical composition.
What awards did Ann Sothern win?

Ann Sothern won a Golden Globe Award and received two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She was also nominated for an Academy Award in 1987.
How many awards did Ann Sothern win?

Ann Sothern won at least two major awards: a Golden Globe and stars on the Walk of Fame. She also received an Oscar nomination.
What is Ann Sothern best known for?

Ann Sothern is best known for playing Maisie in the film series and for her TV role as Susie McNamara on Private Secretary. She also appeared in The Alfred Hitchcock Hour and The Lucy Show.
How tall was Ann Sothern?

Ann Sothern stood 5 feet 2 inches tall, or 1.56 meters. Her petite stature was part of her charm on screen.
What other names did Ann Sothern use?

Ann Sothern used several aliases early in her career, including Harriette Lake, Joan Larrabee, and Foxy McNamara. She also performed as Harriet Byron.
What was Ann Sothern's first film?

Ann Sothern began as an extra in 1927, but her first credited role was in Let’s Fall in Love 1933 with Columbia Pictures.
Did Ann Sothern win an Academy Award?

Ann Sothern did not win an Academy Award, but she was nominated in 1987 for Best Supporting Actress for The Whales of August.
Who was Ann Sothern's grandfather?

Ann Sothern’s paternal grandfather was Simon Lake, the inventor of the modern submarine. This inventive lineage influenced her family’s creativity.
What was Ann Sothern's political affiliation?

Ann Sothern was a lifelong conservative Republican. She supported presidents like Dwight D. Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, and Ronald Reagan, and attended Republican National Conventions.
Was Ann Sothern friends with Lucille Ball?

Yes, Ann Sothern was good friends with Lucille Ball. They met while working as chorus girls at Goldwyn Studios.
What role did Ann Sothern play in Private Secretary?

Ann Sothern played Susie McNamara, a meddlesome secretary, on Private Secretary from 1953 to 1957. The role made her the first working woman on an American sitcom.
How many Maisie films were made?

The Maisie series included at least six films, starting with Maisie 1939 and running through Up Goes Maisie 1946. Ann Sothern starred in all of them.
Did Ann Sothern sing?

Yes, Ann Sothern was a singer. She performed with Artie Shaw and His Orchestra and sang the Oscar-winning song The Last Time I Saw Paris in Lady Be Good 1941.
What was Ann Sothern's only child's name?

Ann Sothern’s only child was Patricia Ann Sterling, known professionally as Tisha Sterling. She was born on December 10, 1944.
Where is Ann Sothern buried?

Ann Sothern is buried at Ketchum Cemetery in Ketchum, Idaho. She died in the same town.
What was Ann Sothern's height?

Ann Sothern was 5 feet 2 inches 1.56 m tall. She often used her height to comedic effect.
Who replaced Ann Sothern in Du Barry Was a Lady?

Ann Sothern was announced for Du Barry Was a Lady 1943, but the role eventually went to her friend Lucille Ball.
What was Ann Sothern's favorite role?

Ann Sothern was particularly proud of her role as Maisie, saying it was a fun character to play. She also enjoyed her television work on Private Secretary.
Did Ann Sothern own any businesses?

Yes, Ann Sothern had diverse business interests, including a dress shop, gift shop, Black Angus cattle ranch, music publishing company, and a sewing center.
Was Ann Sothern related to a submarine inventor?

Yes, Ann Sothern’s paternal grandfather, Simon Lake, invented the modern submarine. This is a notable family achievement.
What TV shows did Ann Sothern appear on?

Ann Sothern appeared on The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, The Lucy Show, The Merv Griffin Show, Love, American Style, and many others.
What was Ann Sothern's first television series?

Ann Sothern’s first television series was Private Secretary, which premiered in 1953 and ran for four seasons.
Did Ann Sothern ever work with her daughter?

Yes, Ann Sothern appeared with her daughter Tisha Sterling in The Whales of August 1987, where Tisha played the younger version of Ann’s character.
What is Ann Sothern's legacy?

Ann Sothern is remembered as a pioneering television actress, being the first to play a working woman on a sitcom. Her Maisie film series also left a lasting mark on Hollywood.
Was Ann Sothern nominated for an Emmy?

The source does not mention any Emmy nominations. Her major awards include a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination.
How did Ann Sothern meet her second husband?

Ann Sothern met Robert Sterling while working in Hollywood. They married in 1943 and had one daughter together.
What was Ann Sothern's cause of death?

Ann Sothern died of heart failure. She was 92 years old and living in Ketchum, Idaho at the time.
What was the name of Ann Sothern's production company?

The source does not specify a production company, but she owned a music publishing company.
Did Ann Sothern serve in World War II?

There is no information that she served. She did contribute to the war effort through USO tours and the first American film shown in liberated Copenhagen.
What was Ann Sothern's real hair color?

Ann Sothern was originally a redhead. She bleached her hair blonde for comedy roles.
Who was Ann Sothern's best friend?

Ann Sothern counted Lucille Ball and Ann Dvorak as close friends. She also had a lifelong friendship with Merv Griffin.
What was Ann Sothern's nickname?

Her nickname was not explicitly stated in the source, but she used stage names like Ann Southern or Foxy McNamara.

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Published on October 1, 2026

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