Kelton, Pert (1907–1968)

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Kelton, Pert (1907–1968)

American stage and screen actress. Born Oct 14, 1907, in Great Falls, Montana; died Oct 30, 1968, in Ridgewood, NJ; m. Ralph Bell (actor); children: 2 sons, including Brian Bell (actor).

Began career in vaudeville with parents; made Broadway debut (1925) in Sunny; also appeared in The DuBarry, The Bad Seed, The Music Man, Come Blow Your Horn and Spofford; made film debut in Sally (1929); other films include Bed of Roses, The Bowery, The Meanest Gal in Town, Mary Burns-Fugitive, Hooray for Love, Annie Oakley and The Music Man. Was the original Alice Kramden in "The Honeymooners" with Jackie Gleason (1950–52), until she was blacklisted during McCarthy era.

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