With the rare combination of talent and dedication, Agnes Moorehead has achieved stardom in television, radio, motion pictures and the legitimate stage. She has been an Academy Award nominee four times in her role as the witch-mother-in-law, Endora, in the Screen Gems comedy hit "Bewitched".
Miss Moorehead was born in Clinton, Mass., the daughter of the Rev. and Mrs. John R. Moorehead of the Presbyterian Church. In early childhood, the actress-to-be moved with her family to St. Louis, MO. She received her schooling there, and, at the age of 10 spent her summers performing in the theater. She also worked with the St. Louis Municipal Opera Company for four years.
Miss Moorehead graduated from Muskingum College in Ohio and received her Master's degree in English and public speaking at the university of Wisconsin. She then went to New York and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and soon began appearing on Broadway and in radio roles.
One of radio's most active performer's, she was heard on thousands of programs including "March of Time", "Cavalcade of America", and "Mayor of the Town". Her comedy show credits include the Fred Allen, Phil Baker, Bob Hope and Jack Benny Shows.
With Joseph Cotton and Orson Welles, she was founder and charter member of the famed Mercury Theater Players. When Welles made his first film "Citizen Kane" in 1941, Agnes Moorehead made her screen debut as Kane's mother.
This was followed by "The Magnificent Ambersons", which brought her to the New York Critics Award for 'Best Actress of the Year' and her first Academy Award nomination. She also received Oscar nominations for "Johnny Belinda", "Mrs. Parkington", "All That Heaven Allows", and "Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte".
With Charles Boyer, Sir Cedric Hardwicke and Charles Laughton, Miss Moorehead appeared in a concert recital of George Bernard Shaw's "Don Juan In Hell" in the United States and Europe.
Her many other TV credits include guest roles on "Wagon Train", "Playhouse 90", "Shirley Temple Theater", "The Rebel", "Studio One", "Twilight Zone", "The Rifleman", and "Wild, Wild West". For the latter performance, she won a coveted TV Academy Emmy.
Miss Moorehead divides her time between a farm in Ohio and a Beverly Hills home which she describes as "Mediterranean, but Venetian in character". Both homes are decorated with antiques she brought back from her world travels. She also collects memorabilia of famous actors and actresses.
Read Agnes Moorehead's rare biography published in 1976 and see more info on her here.