Florence Stanley (July 1 1924 - October 3, 2003) was an American actress of stage, film and television. Florence Stanley was born as Florence Schwartz in Chicago, the daughter of Hanna (née Weil) and Jack Schwartz. She began a long career on stage, film and TV starting in the 1940s. Her earliest theatrical performances include The Importance of Being Earnest with the Touring Players, Bury The Dead at New York's Cherry Lane Theatre, and in Sophie Treadwell's drama, Machinal.
During the 1950s, Stanley appeared in numerous live TV shows, and gave an acclaimed performance as Clytemnestra in the NY Shakespeare Company's 1964 production of Electra, opposite Lee Grant, who played the title role. Stanley began her long career on Broadway as Maureen Stapleton's understudy in a 1965 revival of The Glass Menagerie.
In 1966 she took over the role of Yenta in Broadway's Fiddler On The Roof from Beatrice Arthur, leaving in 1971 (after over 2,000 performances) to open in Neil Simon's The Prisoner of Second Avenue, directed by Mike Nichols. In 1972 she went on to tap dance in the Broadway production of The Secret Affairs Of Mildred Wild, and in 1981 went back to work for Neil Simon in the unsuccessful Broadway production of Fools.
Her film roles began with Up the Down Staircase (which starred Sandy Dennis) in 1967. In 1973 she was asked by Mike Nichols to play a small role in his film The Day of the Dolphin. She then recreated her role in the film version of Prisoner (1975), was again cast by Nichols' for The Fortune (1975), which starred Warren Beatty and Jack Nicholson. She then went on to appear in the television series Joe and Sons for CBS in 1975; that same year Barney Miller producer Danny Arnold cast Stanley as Bernice Fish, the wife of Detective Fish (played by Abe Vigoda). After Barney Miller, Stanley recreated her role as "Bernice Fish" on the short-lived spinoff, Fish.
She starred as "Judge Wilbur" on the series, My Two Dads, and directed three episodes of the series. She later played "Dr. Amanda Riskin" on Nurses, provided the voice for Grandma "Ethyl Phillips" on Dinosaurs and made guest appearances on The Golden Girls, Mad About You, Night Court, Malcolm in the Middle, Mr. Belvedere, Cybill, and many others. Later film roles include Trouble Bound (1993), Trapped In Paradise (1994), Bulworth (1998) and Down With Love (2003).
In 2001, she provided the voice of Mrs. Packard in Disney's 40th animated feature film Atlantis: The Lost Empire, and the direct-to-video sequel, Atlantis: Milo's Return, in 2003, just months before her death.
She died of a stroke at age 79 in 2003 in Los Angeles, California. She was survived by her husband, Martin Newman, and their two children.
Stone-faced, raspy-voiced American character actress who played the typical overbearing relative or busybody on Broadway, film and TV.
Played matchmaker Yenta on stage in "Fiddler on the Roof" for six years (1965-1971).
Graduated from Northwestern University.
Best known as Abe Vigoda's wife on the "Barney Miller" TV series. As Bernice Fish, she and Vigoda went on to star in the short-lived spinoff "Fish."
Began her career with a 1950 TV production of "The Taming of the Shrew" for "Studio One."
Showed a serious side in 1964 with the New York Shakespeare Festival by giving a powerful performance as Clymnestra in "Electra" opposite 'Lee Grant' in the title role. Also played the Nurse in "Romeo and Juliet" for Seattle Repertory.
Started her professional career following college when she traveled to Germany as a Civilian Actress Technician, as part of the U.S. Army Special Services after World War II.
Met husband Martin Newman when both were cast in the production of "Bury the Dead" at the Cherry Lane Theatre in 1948.
Was a member of the League of Professional Theater Women.
