Nora Marlowe was a talented and versatile actress who appeared in many films and television shows from the 1950s to the 1970s. She was best known for her role as Flossie Brimmer, the boardinghouse owner in the popular family drama The Waltons. She also had memorable roles in The Twilight Zone, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, The Governor and J.J., and Westworld. But how did Nora Marlowe die? What was the cause of her death? In this article, we will explore the life and career of Nora Marlowe, and reveal the circumstances of her passing.
Early Life and Career
Nora Marlowe was born on September 5, 1915, in Worcester, Massachusetts. She developed an interest in acting at a young age, and began performing in local theater productions. She attended Emerson College in Boston, where she studied drama and speech. She later moved to New York City, where she pursued a career on stage. She appeared in several Broadway and off-Broadway plays, such as The Time of Your Life, The Glass Menagerie, and The Crucible.
She made her film debut in 1953, playing a small role in the crime drama The Big Heat. She then appeared in several classic films, such as North by Northwest (as Anna, the housekeeper who holds Roger O. Thornhill at gunpoint), The Thomas Crown Affair (as Erwin’s secretary), and Cool Hand Luke (as Arletta). She also worked with some of the most renowned directors of her time, such as Alfred Hitchcock, Stanley Kubrick, and Michael Crichton.
Television Stardom
Nora Marlowe was also a prolific television actress, who guest-starred in dozens of shows across various genres. She often played maternal or domestic roles, such as maids, nurses, mothers, or widows. Some of her notable appearances include Schlitz Playhouse, 77 Sunset Strip, Hawaiian Eye, The Millionaire, General Electric Theater, The Donna Reed Show, Petticoat Junction, Going My Way, Family Affair, Bewitched, The Green Hornet, Lassie, Bridget Loves Bernie, Here Come the Brides, Barnaby Jones, Medical Center, Cannon, The Rockford Files, The Big Valley, The F.B.I., Marcus Welby M.D., The Outer Limits, The Bob Newhart Show, and The Streets of San Francisco.
She also had recurring roles in several shows, such as Law of the Plainsman (as Martha Commager), My Living Doll (as Mrs. Moffatt), Dick Powell’s Zane Grey Theater (as various characters), Wagon Train (as various characters), Gunsmoke (as various characters), and The Governor and J.J. (as Sara Andrews).
However, her most famous role was that of Flossie Brimmer in The Waltons. She played the kind-hearted widow who ran the boardinghouse in Walton’s Mountain. She appeared in 27 episodes of the show from 1973 to 1977. She was loved by both the cast and the fans for her warm and charming personality.
Cause of Death
Nora Marlowe died on December 31, 1977, at the age of 62. She passed away in Los Angeles, California. The cause of her death was not publicly disclosed at the time. However, according to Wikipedia, she died of undisclosed causes. According to Facts Verse, she suffered from a stroke during the later years of working on the show which slowed down her work. According to Find a Grave, she was cremated and her ashes were scattered at sea.
Her death occurred between the end of the sixth season and the start of filming for the seventh season of The Waltons. Her role was not recast and her character’s death was mentioned in the first episode of the seventh season. It was implied that she died sometime in 1941 (the year that the show was set in). Her niece Patsy Brimmer sent a package to Olivia Walton containing some of Flossie’s belongings.
Nora Marlowe was survived by her husband James McCallion (an actor who also appeared on The Waltons as Ike Godsey’s cousin), and their two children.
Legacy
Nora Marlowe left behind a rich legacy of film and television work that spanned over two decades. She was a versatile actress who could play comedy or drama with equal skill. She was admired by her peers and loved by her fans for her talent and charisma. She will always be remembered as one of the most beloved actresses of her generation.
