Ann Sothern (born Harriette Arlene Lake) had a career that spanned seven decades, beginning with bit parts in film in the late 1920s. She starred in a series of 'Maisie' films through the 1930s and 1940's, and became a presence in TV's golden era as the star of two CBS comedy series, Private Secretary and The Ann Sothern Show. She acted in more than 70 films, earning an Oscar nomination at age 78 for her role as Tisha Doughty in The Whales of August