Bea Benaderet - Lucy's first choice to play Ethel Mertz

A friend of Lucy's and a popular character actress of the day, Bea Benaderet made only one guest appearance on I LOVE LUCY playing Miss Lewis, Lucy's old lady neighbor who was smitten with neighborhood grocer played by Edward Everett Horton in "Lucy Plays Cupid".

Interestingly enough, Ms. Benaderet also played the part of Jethro's mom on the Beverly Hillbillies, and was also the original voice of Betty Rubble on the Flinstones before landing the role of Kate on Petticoat Junction, the role she held until her death in 1968.