Actor
Catherine McLeod
Born July 2, 1921 in Santa Monica, California, USADied May 11, 199719 films
Catherine McLeod (July 2, 1921 – May 11, 1997) was an American actress who made over sixty television and movie appearances between 1944 and 1976. She memorably portrayed the one woman whom James Garner's character Bret Maverick wanted to marry on the 1957 television series Maverick, in the episode "Rage for Vengeance," and appeared in literally dozens of other series including The Millionaire, Meet McGraw, Richard Diamond, Private Detective, 77 Sunset Strip, Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer, Bronco, Perry Mason, Colt .45, Lawman, Bonanza, Hawaiian Eye, Have Gun - Will Travel, The Outer Limits, The Virginian, and the Ten Thousand Horses Singing episode of Studio One opposite James Dean and John Forsythe.
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Movies included Frank Borzage's I've Always Loved You (1946), Courage of Lassie (1946), The Fabulous Texan (1947), That's My Man (1947), Old Los Angeles (1948), My Wife's Best Friend (1952), A Blueprint for Murder (1953), William Witney's The Outcast (1954), Ride the Wild Surf (1964), and Lipstick (1976).
McLeod's greatest impact upon American consciousness by far, however, was as purveyor of one of the most ubiquitous catchphrases of its era when she portrayed the woman in the 1963 headache remedy television commercial who plaintively but irritably said, "Mother, please! I'd rather do it myself!" The announcer's voiceover would then intone, "Sure you have a headache... tense, irritable.... but don't take it out on her."
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The best way into Catherine McLeod's work
First watchThe Harvey Girls19466.6as Louise (uncredited)On a train trip out west to become a mail-order bride, Susan Bradley meets a cheery crew of young women traveling out to open a "Harvey House" restaurant at a remote whistle-stop.View filmEssential films
Ranked by acclaim and reach
Filmography
19 films as actor- 1976LipstickVogue Lady
- 1964Ride the Wild SurfMrs. Kilua
- 1961The Sergeant Was a LadyMaj. Hay
- 1961Tammy Tell Me TrueMrs. Bateman
- 1958Return to WarbowKathleen Fallam
- 1954The OutcastAlice Austin
- 1954The Heart of Juliet JonesJuliet Jones
- 1953A Blueprint for MurderMaggie Sargent
- 1953Sword of VenusClaire
- 1952My Wife's Best FriendJane Richards
- 195210,000 Horses SingingD. D. Dillward
- 1950So Young, So BadRuth Levering
- 1948Old Los AngelesMarie Marlowe
- 1947The Fabulous TexanJosie Allen
- 1947That's My ManRonnie Grange
- 1946I've Always Loved YouMyra Hassman
- 1946Courage of LassieAlice Merrick
- 1946The Harvey GirlsLouise (uncredited)
- 1945Forever YoursMartha