Occupation Actress Education Arlington High School Role Actress | Name Sylvia Field Years active 1918–1975 Children Sally Moffet | |
 | ||
Full Name Harriet Louisa Johnson Spouse Ernest Truex (m. 1937–1973), Harold Moffat (m. 1930–1938), Robert J. Frowhlich (m. 1924–1929) Movies and TV shows Similar People Ernest Truex, Herbert Anderson, Gloria Henry, Billy Booth, Sara Seegar | ||
VINTAGE LATE 50s RICE KRISPIES WITH MR WILSON & MRS WILSON (D-E-N-N-I-S THE M-E-N-A-C-E)
Sylvia Field (February 28, 1901– July 31, 1998) was an American actress whose career encompassed performances on stage, screen, and TV. She was best known for playing the understanding Mrs. Martha Wilson (Mr. Wilson's wife) on the television sitcom Dennis the Menace on CBS from 1959 to 1962.
Contents
- VINTAGE LATE 50s RICE KRISPIES WITH MR WILSON MRS WILSON D E N N I S THE M E N A C E
- Early life and career
- Personal life
- Death
- Filmography
- References
Early life and career
Born Harriet Louisa Johnson in Allston, Massachusetts, she attended Arlington High School in Arlington, Massachusetts. Field began her acting career on the stage. She made her Broadway debut at age 17 in 1918 in The Betrothal (1918). After appearing in various stage productions, Field made her film debut in the 1928 drama The Home Girl.
Her other films included Voice of the City, Nobody's Darling, Junior Miss and All Mine to Give.
Field began appearing in guest spots on television in the late 1940s. In 1949, she starred in a locally produced sitcom about her life, The Truex Family. In 1952, she landed the role of Mrs. Remington in the sitcom Mister Peepers. The show, which aired until 1955, co-starred Field's real-life husband Ernest Truex. After the end of Mr. Peepers, Field continued to guest star on episodic television, including in roles on Producers' Showcase, Star Tonight, General Electric Theater, and The Ann Sothern Show. In 1957, Field made a guest appearance on Perry Mason as defendant Belle Adrian in "The Case of the Angry Mourner." In 1958, she played Aunt Lila in the Walt Disney serial Annette, starring Annette Funicello.
In 1959, Field began appearing in her most noted role as Martha Wilson in the CBS sitcom Dennis the Menace. Field's character was written out of the series in 1962 owing to the death of Joseph Kearns, who portrayed George Wilson, Martha's husband. Field continued in television guest spots during the 1960s, including on the ABC sitcoms Our Man Higgins with Stanley Holloway and Hazel.
In 1966, Sylvia appeared on Petticoat Junction as Laura Bentley in the episode: "Young Love". She played opposite her real life husband Ernest Truex.
She made her final onscreen appearance in Kathleen Collins's 1980 film "The Cruz Brothers and Mrs Malloy".
Personal life
Field was married three times. Her first marriage was to Robert J. Frowhlich from 1924 to 1929. Her second, to Harold Moffat in 1930, produced one daughter, Sally Moffet Kellin (Apr. 21, 1932 - May 8, 1995), and Sally was married to actor Mike Kellin. Moffat died in 1938. In 1941, she married actor Ernest Truex, to whom she remained married for 32 years until Truex's death in 1973.
Death
On July 31, 1998, Field died at a nursing home in Fallbrook, California. She was 97.
Filmography
Actress
1980
The Cruz Brothers and Miss Malloy as
Miss Malloy
1977
This Is the Life (TV Series) as
Emma
- The Prisoners (1977) - Emma
1975
Harry O (TV Series) as
Loretta
- The Last Heir (1975) - Loretta
1967
The Magical World of Disney (TV Series) as
Mrs. McManus
- Gallegher Goes West: Trial by Terror (1967) - Mrs. McManus
1967
Occasional Wife (TV Series) as
Mrs. Barnaby
- One Plus One Equals Too Many (1967) - Mrs. Barnaby
1966
Mr. Paracelsus, Who Are You? (TV Movie) as
Mrs. Winslow
1966
Petticoat Junction (TV Series) as
Laura Bentley
- Young Love (1966) - Laura Bentley
1965
Hazel (TV Series) as
Mrs. Robert Dunlap
- Who's in Charge Here? (1965) - Mrs. Robert Dunlap
1964
Lassie (TV Series) as
Ephie McCloud
- Lassie and the Shifting Sands (1964) - Ephie McCloud
1964
The Farmer's Daughter (TV Series) as
Margaret Brubaker
- Scandal in Washington (1964) - Margaret Brubaker
1963
Our Man Higgins (TV Series) as
Aunt Martha
- The Long, Long Saturday (1963) - Aunt Martha
1959
Dennis the Menace (TV Series) as
Martha Wilson
- Community Picnic (1962) - Martha Wilson
- The Club Initiation (1962) - Martha Wilson
- The Bully (1962) - Martha Wilson
- John Wilson Wins a Chicken (1962) - Martha Wilson
- John Wilson's Cushion (1962) - Martha Wilson
- Dennis' Lovesick Friend (1962) - Martha Wilson
- Dennis and the Dodger (1962) - Martha Wilson
- The Man Next Door (1962) - Martha Wilson
- Wilson Goes to the Dentist (1962) - Martha Wilson
- The Treasure Chest (1962) - Martha Wilson
- Junior Pathfinders Ride Again (1962) - Martha Wilson
- Horseless Carriage Club (1962) - Martha Wilson
- Dennis' Documentary Film (1962) - Martha Wilson
- A Dog's Life (1962) - Martha Wilson
- Mr. Wilson's Housekeeper (1962) - Martha Wilson
- The Private Eye (1962) - Martha Wilson
- A Quiet Evening (1962) - Martha Wilson
- Mr. Wilson's Uncle (1962) - Martha Wilson
- Where There's a Will (1962) - Martha Wilson
- Frog Jumping Contest (1962) - Martha Wilson
- Dennis Has a Fling (1962) - Martha Wilson
- Silence Is Golden (1962) - Martha Wilson
- Calling All Bird Lovers (1962) - Martha Wilson
- Through Thick and Thin (1962) - Martha Wilson
- Dennis' Bank Account (1961) - Martha Wilson
- The Fifteen-Foot Christmas Tree (1961) - Martha Wilson
- The Lucky Piece (1961) - Martha Wilson
- Dennis Is a Genius (1961) - Martha Wilson
- Mr. Wilson's Inheritance (1961) - Martha Wilson
- Dennis and the Pee Wee League (1961) - Martha Wilson
- The Fifty-Thousandth Customer (1961) - Martha Wilson
- The School Play (1961) - Martha Wilson
- Mr. Wilson's Safe (1961) - Martha Wilson
- Keep off the Grass (1961) - Martha Wilson
- Best Neighbor (1961) - Martha Wilson
- Trouble from Mars (1961) - Martha Wilson
- Dennis and the Picnic (1961) - Martha Wilson
- Father's Day for Mr. Wilson (1961) - Martha Wilson
- The Pioneers (1961) - Martha Wilson
- The Fortune Cookie (1961) - Martha Wilson
- Mr. Wilson's Paradise (1961) - Martha Wilson
- Dennis' Newspaper (1961) - Martha Wilson
- Dennis and the Miracle Plant Food (1961) - Martha Wilson
- Dennis and the Camera (1961) - Martha Wilson
- The Soapbox Derby (1961) - Martha Wilson
- The Boy Wonder (1961) - Martha Wilson
- Woodman, Spare That Tree (1961) - Martha Wilson
- The Dog Trainer (1961) - Martha Wilson
- Dennis' Obligation (1961) - Martha Wilson
- Dennis and the Good Example (1961) - Martha Wilson
- Dennis and the Fishing Rod (1961) - Martha Wilson
- The Going Away Gift (1961) - Martha Wilson
- Dennis' Tool Chest (1961) - Martha Wilson
- Dennis Goes to Camp (1961) - Martha Wilson
- Dennis' Birthday (1961) - Martha Wilson
- Wilson Sleeps Over (1961) - Martha Wilson
- Dennis and the Saxophone (1961) - Martha Wilson
- Pythias Was a Piker (1961) - Martha Wilson
- Dennis, the Campaign Manager (1961) - Martha Wilson
- Dennis' Penny Collection (1961) - Martha Wilson
- Dennis' Allowance (1961) - Martha Wilson
- The Christmas Horse (1960) - Martha Wilson
- The Raffle Ticket (1960) - Martha Wilson
- Dennis Learns to Whistle (1960) - Martha Wilson
- Paint-Up, Clean-Up Week (1960) - Martha Wilson
- Henry and Togetherness (1960) - Martha Wilson
- The Rock Collection (1960) - Martha Wilson
- The Stock Certificate (1960) - Martha Wilson
- Dennis and the Ham-pher (1960) - Martha Wilson
- Dennis and the Radio Set (1960) - Martha Wilson
- Dennis and the Wedding (1960) - Martha Wilson
- Out of Retirement (1960) - Martha Wilson
- Dennis Runs Away (1960) - Martha Wilson
- Dennis Creates a Hero (1960) - Martha Wilson
- Dennis and the TV Set (1960) - Martha Wilson
- Mr. Wilson's Sister (1960) - Martha Wilson
- Dennis and the Dog (1960) - Martha Wilson
- Dennis and the Duck (1960) - Martha Wilson
- Dennis and the Open House (1960) - Martha Wilson
- Dennis and the Bike (1960) - Martha Wilson
- Dennis and the Rare Coin (1960) - Martha Wilson
- Dennis' Tree House (1960) - Martha Wilson
- Dennis Haunts a House (1960) - Martha Wilson
- The Christmas Story (1959) - Martha Wilson
- Mr. Wilson's Award (1959) - Martha Wilson
- Tenting Tonight (1959) - Martha Wilson
- The New Neighbors (1959) - Martha Wilson
- Innocents in Space (1959) - Martha Wilson
- The Fishing Trip (1959) - Martha Wilson
- Dennis and the Signpost (1959) - Martha Wilson
1959
Search for Tomorrow (TV Series) as
Pearl March #2 (1959-1960)
- Episode #1.2431 (1960) - Pearl March #2 (1959-1960)
- Episode #1.2346 (1960) - Pearl March #2 (1959-1960)
- Episode #1.2181 (1960) - Pearl March #2 (1959-1960)
- Episode #1.2171 (1959) - Pearl March #2 (1959-1960)
- Episode #1.1921 (1959) - Pearl March #2 (1959-1960)
1960
The Chevy Mystery Show (TV Series) as
Mrs. Emerson
- Murder Me Nicely (1960) - Mrs. Emerson
1959
The Thin Man (TV Series) as
'Baby' Van Horn
- Requiem for a Recluse (1959) - 'Baby' Van Horn
1958
The Ann Sothern Show (TV Series) as
Mrs. Beldon
- The Big Gamble (1958) - Mrs. Beldon
1958
The Millionaire (TV Series) as
Mrs. Helen Hogan
- The Andrew Sterling Story (1958) - Mrs. Helen Hogan
1956
Matinee Theatre (TV Series)
- The Canterville Ghost (1958)
- Time for Action (1957)
- The Middle Son (1956)
1958
General Electric Theater (TV Series) as
Hannah
- The Unfamiliar (1958) - Hannah
1958
Annette (TV Series) as
Aunt Lila / Aunt Lila McCloud
- The Mystery Is Solved (1958) - Aunt Lila
- Mike to the Rescue (1958) - Aunt Lila
- The Farewell Letter (1958) - Aunt Lila
- The Fight (1958) - Aunt Lila
- The Turned Down Invitation (1958) - Aunt Lila
- Almost a Fight (1958) - Aunt Lila
- The Escort (1958) - Aunt Lila McCloud
- An Invitation (1958) - Aunt Lila
- Annette Meets Jet (1958) - Aunt Lila
- The Newcomer (1958) - Aunt Lila McCloud
1958
The Mickey Mouse Club (TV Series) as
Aunt Lila McCloud
- Fun with Music Day: The Music Shop - Mickey Mouse Club Serials - Annette (An Introduction) (1958) - Aunt Lila McCloud
1957
Perry Mason (TV Series) as
Belle Adrian
- The Case of the Angry Mourner (1957) - Belle Adrian
1957
Father Knows Best (TV Series) as
Grandma
- Grandpa Retires (1957) - Grandma
1957
All Mine to Give as
Lelia Delbert
1954
Modern Romances (TV Series)
- Episode dated 16 December 1955 (1955)
- Episode dated 15 December 1955 (1955)
- Episode dated 14 December 1955 (1955)
- Episode dated 13 December 1955 (1955)
- Episode dated 12 December 1955 (1955)
- Grandma for an Hour: Part 1 (1954)
1955
Star Tonight (TV Series) as
Fanny Cotton
- Have Faith in Your Agent (1955) - Fanny Cotton
1955
Producers' Showcase (TV Series) as
Mrs. Gibbs
- Our Town (1955) - Mrs. Gibbs
1955
Appointment with Adventure (TV Series) as
Edna Richardson
- The Snow People (1955) - Edna Richardson
1952
Mister Peepers (TV Series) as
Mrs. Remington
- Episode #4.31 (1955) - Mrs. Remington
- Episode #4.20 (1955) - Mrs. Remington
- The Rumor (1954) - Mrs. Remington
- Finding the Engagement Ring (1954) - Mrs. Remington
- Episode #3.19 (1954) - Mrs. Remington
- Episode #3.18 (1954) - Mrs. Remington
- The Last Date Before Vacation (1953) - Mrs. Remington
- Meet the Parents (1952) - Mrs. Remington
1955
Lux Video Theatre (TV Series) as
Lucy Cooper
- Make Way for Tomorrow (1955) - Lucy Cooper
1955
Ponds Theater (TV Series)
- Thirty, Honey, Thirty (1955)
1951
The Philco Television Playhouse (TV Series)
- Beg, Borrow or Steal (1954)
- The Visitors (1951)
1954
The Best of Broadway (TV Series) as
Mrs. Stanley
- The Man Who Came to Dinner (1954) - Mrs. Stanley
1954
Justice (TV Series)
- A Matter of Life and Death (1954)
1954
Inner Sanctum (TV Series) as
Miss Keene
- The Yellow Parakeet (1954) - Miss Keene
1954
Studio One (TV Series)
- A Favor for a Friend (1954)
1953
Omnibus (TV Series) as
Mrs. Muffit (segment "The Raspberry Queen")
- The Raspberry Queen (1953) - Mrs. Muffit (segment "The Raspberry Queen")
1953
Kraft Theatre (TV Series)
- The Rainy Day (1953)
1952
Goodyear Playhouse (TV Series)
- Her Prince Charming (1953)
- Mr. Quimby's Christmas Hats (1952)
1952
Broadway Television Theatre (TV Series) as
Margaret / Gwen Burke / Lizzie
- George and Margaret (1953) - Margaret
- Nothing But the Truth (1952) - Gwen Burke
- Angel in the Pawnshop (1952) - Lizzie
1952
Hallmark Hall of Fame (TV Series) as
Abigail Adams
- A Woman for the Ages (1952) - Abigail Adams
1950
Somerset Maugham TV Theatre (TV Series)
- A Woman of Fifty (1951)
- The Creative Impulse (1950)
1951
Crime Photographer (TV Series)
- The Frightened Mouse (1951)
1951
Faith Baldwin Romance Theatre (TV Series)
- To My Beloved Wife (1951)
1950
The Billy Rose Show (TV Series)
- Bright Golden Girl (1950)
1950
Starlight Theatre (TV Series)
- The Philanderer (1950)
- Much Ado About Spring (1950)
1949
Suspense (TV Series) as
Ethel Thomas
- Suspicion (1949) - Ethel Thomas
1948
The Chevrolet Tele-Theatre (TV Series) as
Mollie
- Home Life of a Buffalo (1948) - Mollie
1945
Junior Miss as
Mrs. Graves
1945
Salome, Where She Danced as
Sophie - Maid (uncredited)
1944
The Great Moment as
Young Mother (uncredited)
1944
Her Primitive Man as
Aunt Martha
1943
Fired Wife as
Secretary (uncredited)
1943
Nobody's Darling as
Miss Campbell
1942
Blondie for Victory as
Mrs. Williams, Housewife of America (uncredited)
1942
Blondie's Blessed Event as
Maternity Nurse (uncredited)
1942
Dr. Kildare's Victory as
Nurse Bordon (uncredited)
1942
The Power of God as
Mrs. York
1941
Tillie the Toiler as
Teacher
1929
Marching On (Short)
1929
The Exalted Flapper as
Marjorie
1929
The Voice of the City as
Beebe
1929
The Medicine Men (Short)
1929
Stewed, Fried and Boiled (Short)
1928
The Home Girl (Short)
Soundtrack
1959
Dennis the Menace (TV Series) (performer - 2 episodes)
- The Christmas Horse (1960) - (performer: "Silent Night")
- The Christmas Story (1959) - (performer: "Silent Night, Holy Night" - uncredited)
Self
1955
Producers' Showcase (TV Series) as
Self - commercial for Lincoln automobiles
- Peter Pan (1955) - Self - commercial for Lincoln automobiles
1951
Showtime, U.S.A. (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #1.21 (1951) - Self
References
Sylvia Field Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA