Yep, there were three of them altogether. It began when Mrs. Edna Garrett was assigned the task of cleaning the soiled underwear of Willis and Arnold Jackson in the first episode of the series. She lasted a full season and a half before moving on from the penthouse apartment of Diff’rent Strokes to the Eastland School for Girls on The Facts of Life. Then came Adelaide Brubaker. She was older than dirt when she took on the role for the next year and a half. Finally, Pearl Gallagher came to the rescue and remained with the Drummond family as long as they had a TV show and young Arnold managed to keep his lip shaved. Then, most likely, she slew them.
The actress who played Adelaide was Nedra Volz, and she passed away at the ripe old age of 94 in 2003. Charlotte Rae (Mrs. Garrett) and Mary Jo Catlett (Pearl) didn’t die. They went on to do something infinitely better: meet me on the evening of Saturday, April 2, 2011. I don’t know if it’s a coincidence that these two former maids form the same TV show both starred in the S.T.A.G.E. (Southland Theatre Artists Goodwill Event) production of Original Cast 2 at the Luckman Fine Arts Complex in Los Angeles, or not. Neither did I care. All I know was that of all of the celebrities I met that day, there were none that excited me to meet as much as Charlotte Rae, who performed Ballad of Dependency from Threepenny Opera during the show.
Her star had reached clear back to another favorite sitcom, known as Car 54, Where Are You? in which she portrayed Sylvia Schnauser, wife of Leo (Al Lewis). As much as I love this show, it was Diff’rent Strokes and The Facts of Life that made Charlotte Rae famous.
Although I already have the nice photo seen above, signed by Charlotte and Al, I could have kicked myself for not bringing along the Facts photo that I had recently purchased from co-star Mindy Cohn (seen here). Attempts to find any additional photos to have her sign were in vain.
Likewise Mary Jo Catlett – who had performed a duet with Doug Carefrae of I’ll Never Be Jealous Again from The Pajama Game. I couldn’t find a single picture of her either. But it was still exciting nonetheless to get a photo with her as well.
So although I didn’t get autographs from these maid icons, it was such a pleasure and utter thrill to get to meet them and add photos of me with them to my growing collection. So who’s your favorite maid? Afterall, the world don’t move to the beat of just one drummer…
Celebrities of the Original Cast production will continue…
I couldn’t think of another maid besides Charlotte, but now that I see Mary Joe, I do remember her and can hear her voice. Can’t think or see in my mind the third maid.
Bev
June 20th, 2011
My fave was Adelaide. Nedra was a wonderful lady and I got to know her the last 10 years of her life all by sending her a fan letter. We met several times over the years and she was just the most delightful little old lady you’d ever hope to meet. RIP Nedra.
Jeff
July 24th, 2015
Adalaide was awsome!! SHe was so friggin cute with that little bun and her being so tiny and sweet. I wish they kept her but she was only on for a season, then came Pearl. Nedra was great on other sitcoms like Alice and Angie, as well as Filthy Rich with Dixie Carter.
James Henry
January 20th, 2017
Charlotte Ray was one of my favorite! She was very funny in his role and seems to be a very nice woman in real life: She is the only one with Tood BRIDGES to survive all other members ! RIP to Gary COLEMAN, Dana PLATO, Conrad BAIN and all those who passed too early away!
Jérémy
September 29th, 2017
I happened to come across the photo of Adelaide the housekeeper and they come across this blog I think it’s so cool everyone is chatting about these ladies one of my childhood great memories
Felix
November 23rd, 2018
Thank you for taking the time to meet with and write about these little ladies! I found it helpful for sentimental reasons.
Theresa
December 31st, 2021