Alice Nunn | |
---|---|
Born |
Alice Elizabeth Nunn October 27, 1927 Jacksonville, Florida |
Died | July 1, 1988 West Hollywood, California |
(aged 60)
Resting place | Old Jacksonville City Cemetery, Florida |
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 1956 - 1987 |
Alice Elizabeth Nunn (October 10, 1927 – July 1, 1988) was an American film and theatre actress. She was born in Jacksonville, Florida and died at her apartment in West Hollywood, California. Although she played many roles across her 31-year career, she is primarily remembered for her role as Large Marge, the scary truck driver, in Tim Burton's 1985 film Pee-wee's Big Adventure, which is number 5 on the IFC list of the 25 scariest moments in non-horror film history.
Alice Nunn was born in Jacksonville in 1927. Her parents were N.G. Nunn and Alice Bush. She showed an early interest in the performing arts and took part in school productions of My Sister Eileen. She studied at the Wesleyan Conservatory and School of Fine Arts. Subsequently she attended the American Theater Wing. She did some radio work and she finally got an acting part in New Faces of 1956. She also played in the theatre alongside Shelley Berman and Nancy Walker.
She became a character actress and first appeared on television in episodes of Petticoat Junction...1967's episode "Shoplifter at the Shady Rest" (as Mrs. Benson), 1968's episode "Mae's Helping Hand", as well as 1969's episodes "The Other Woman" (as Mrs. Birdwell) and "Kathy Joe's First Birthday Party" (as the 'Lady with wallet').
She went on to appear in numerous sitcoms such as Camp Runamuck where she played Mahala May Gruenecker, the head counselor of Camp Divine, and the chief opponent of Commander Wivenhoe played by series star Arch Johnson. In her sitcom appearances during the 1960s, Nunn often played strong-willed and edgy women but in a humorous vein.