Personal Info
Birth date
1930-07-14 (95 Years)
Day of death
2014-09-20
Gender
Female
Known for
Acting
Place of birth
Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
Also known as
Nellie Paulina Burgin
Polly Bergen
Biography
Polly Bergen (born Nellie Paulina Burgin; July 14, 1930 – September 20, 2014) was an American actress, singer, television host, writer and entrepreneur. She won an Emmy Award in 1958 for her performance as Helen Morgan in The Helen Morgan Story. For her stage work, she was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her performance as Carlotta Campion in Follies in 2001. Her film work included Cape Fear (1962) and The Caretakers (1963), for which she was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama. She hosted her own weekly variety show for one season (The Polly Bergen Show), was a regular panelist on the TV game show To Tell The Truth and later in life had recurring roles in The Sopranos and Desperate Housewives. She wrote three books on beauty, fashion and charm. She is also the inspiration behind Mother Goose in The Land of Stories. Description above from the Wikipedia article Polly Bergen, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia
Filmography
The Sopranos
8.651
Overview:
The story of New Jersey-based Italian-American mobster Tony Soprano and the difficulties he faces as he tries to balance the conflicting requirements of his home life and the criminal organization he heads. Those difficulties are often highlighted through his ongoing professional relationship with psychiatrist Jennifer Melfi. The show features Tony's family members and Mafia associates in prominent roles and story arcs, most notably his wife Carmela and his cousin and protégé Christopher Moltisanti.Desperate Housewives
7.918
Overview:
Looking down on her friends and family isn't a way of life for Mary Alice Young... it's a way of death. One day, in her perfect house, in the loveliest of suburbs, Mary Alice ended it all. Now she's taking us into the lives of her family, friends and neighbors, commenting from her elevated P.O.V.The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
7.459
Overview:
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson is a talk show hosted by Johnny Carson under The Tonight Show franchise from 1962 to 1992. It originally aired during late-night. For its first ten years, Carson's Tonight Show was based in New York City with occasional trips to Burbank, California; in May 1972, the show moved permanently to Burbank, California. In 2002, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson was ranked #12 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.Murder, She Wrote
7.5
Overview:
An unassuming mystery writer turned sleuth uses her professional insight to help solve real-life homicide cases.The Love Boat
6.3
Overview:
Passengers who search for romantic nights aboard a beautiful ship travelling to tropical or mysterious countries, decide to pass their vacation aboard the "Love Boat", where Gopher, Dr. Bricker, Isaac, Julie, and Captain Stubing try their best to please them, and sometimes help them fall in love. Things are not always so easy, but in the end, love wins.Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre
5.714
Overview:
Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre is an American anthology series, sponsored by Chrysler Corporation, which ran on NBC from 1963 through 1967. The show was hosted by Bob Hope, but it had a variety of formats, including musical, dramatic, and comedy.The Mike Douglas Show
5.375
Overview:
The Mike Douglas Show is an American daytime television talk show hosted by Mike Douglas that originally aired only in the Cleveland area during much of its first two years on the air. It then went into syndication in 1963 and remained on television until 1982. It was distributed by Westinghouse Broadcasting and for much of its run, originated from studios of two of the company's TV stations in Cleveland and Philadelphia.Golden Globe Awards
7.2
Overview:
An annual awards ceremony recognizing excellence in film and television, both domestic and foreign, bestowed by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.Wagon Train
6.3
Overview:
The series initially starred veteran movie supporting actor Ward Bond as the wagon master, later replaced upon his death by John McIntire, and Robert Horton as the scout, subsequently replaced by lookalike Robert Fuller a year after Horton had decided to leave the series. The series was inspired by the 1950 film Wagon Master directed by John Ford and starring Ben Johnson, Harry Carey Jr. and Ward Bond, and harkens back to the early widescreen wagon train epic The Big Trail starring John Wayne and featuring Bond in his first major screen appearance playing a supporting role. Horton's buckskin outfit as the scout in the first season of the television series resembles Wayne's, who also played the wagon train's scout in the earlier film.Tony Awards
5.917
Overview:
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway productions and performances, and an award is given for regional theatre.The Merv Griffin Show
6.222
Overview:
The Merv Griffin Show is an American television talk show, starring Merv Griffin. The series ran from October 1, 1962 to March 29, 1963 on NBC, September 20, 1965 to August 15, 1969 in first-run syndication, from August 18, 1969 to February 11, 1972 at 11:30 PM ET weeknights on CBS and again in first-run syndication from February 14, 1972 to September 5, 1986.Dr. Kildare
5.5
Overview:
The story of a young intern in a large metropolitan hospital trying to learn his profession, deal with the problems of his patients, and win the respect of the senior doctor in his specialty, internal medicine.The Red Skelton Show
7.375
Overview:
The Red Skelton Show is an American variety show that was a television staple for two decades, from 1951 to 1971. It was second to Gunsmoke and third to The Ed Sullivan Show in the ratings during that time. Skelton, who had previously been a radio star, had appeared in several motion pictures as well. Although his television series is largely associated with CBS, where it appeared for more than fifteen years, it actually began and ended on NBC. During its run, the program received three Emmy Awards, for Skelton as best comedian and the program as best comedy show during its initial season, and an award for comedy writing in 1961.Hotel
6.8
Overview:
Hotel is an American prime time drama series which aired on ABC from September 21, 1983 to May 5, 1988 in the timeslot following Dynasty. Based on Arthur Hailey's 1965 novel of the same name, the series was produced by Aaron Spelling and set in the elegant and fictitious St. Gregory Hotel in San Francisco. Establishing shots of the hotel were filmed in front of The Fairmont San Francisco atop the Nob Hill neighborhood. Episodes followed the activities of passing guests, as well as the personal and professional lives of the hotel staff.Jake and the Fatman
6.12
Overview:
Jake and the Fatman is a television crime drama starring William Conrad as prosecutor J. L. "Fatman" McCabe and Joe Penny as investigator Jake Styles. The series ran on CBS for five seasons from 1987 to 1992. Diagnosis: Murder was a spin-off of this series.Touched by an Angel
7.2
Overview:
Monica, an angel, is tasked with bringing guidance and messages from God to various people who are at a crossroads in their lives.The Colgate Comedy Hour
6.8
Overview:
The Colgate Comedy Hour is an American comedy-musical variety series that aired live on the NBC network from 1950 to 1955. The show starred many notable comedians and entertainers of the era, including Eddie Cantor, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, Fred Allen, Donald O'Connor, Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, Bob Hope, Jimmy Durante, Ray Bolger, Gordon MacRae, Ben Blue, Robert Paige, Tony Curtis, Burt Lancaster, Broadway dancer Wayne Lamb and Spike Jones and His City Slickers.The Ed Sullivan Show
6.8
Overview:
The Ed Sullivan Show is an American TV variety show that originally ran on CBS from Sunday June 20, 1948 to Sunday June 6, 1971, and was hosted by New York entertainment columnist Ed Sullivan. It was replaced in September 1971 by the CBS Sunday Night Movie, which ran only one season and was eventually replaced by other shows. In 2002, The Ed Sullivan Show was ranked #15 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.The Jack Benny Program
7.813
Overview:
Laugh along with funnyman Jack Benny as he brings his underplayed humor to TV along with regular performers from his radio show days.Kraft Music Hall
4.667
Overview:
Kraft Music Hall is an umbrella title for several television series aired by NBC in the United States from the 1950s to the 1970s in the musical variety genre, sponsored by Kraft Foods, the producers of a well-known line of cheeses and related dairy products. Their commercials were usually announced by "The Voice of Kraft", Ed Herlihy.Burke's Law
6.7
Overview:
Burke's Law, a revival of the 1960s cop television series of the same name, aired on CBS from 1994 to 1995. The series centers on Amos Burke, a senior Los Angeles police officer and millionaire, and his son, Peter, who is a detective under his command.Alfred Hitchcock Presents
7.7
Overview:
A television anthology series hosted by Alfred Hitchcock featuring dramas, thrillers, and mysteries.Commander in Chief
7.7
Overview:
Mackenzie Allen has a lot on her plate -- she has twin teenagers, a 6-year-old at home and an ambitious husband at the office, and she is about to become the first female president of the United States. Before that happens, however; Mackenzie, who serves as vice president, has to decide whether or not to go against the dying wishes of the current president, who has asked her to step down and let someone "more appropriate" fill his shoes in the Oval Office. Not only does the president want her to resign, so does the entire party that elected her in the first place. But when the moment of truth arrives, Mackenzie isn't willing to be a mere footnote in history. Instead of allowing her detractors to keep her down, she decides to trust her instincts and accept the most powerful job in the world.The Oscars
7.055
Overview:
An annual American awards ceremony honoring cinematic achievements in the film industry. The various category winners are awarded a copy of a statuette, officially the Academy Award of Merit, that is better known by its nickname Oscar.What's My Line?
6.9
Overview:
Four panelists must determine guests' occupations - and, in the case of famous guests, while blindfolded, their identity - by asking only "yes" or "no" questions.The Bob Hope Show
7
Overview:
The Bob Hope Show hosted by Bob Hope, debuted on April 9, 1950. During the 1952-1953 season, NBC rotated with other variety shows in a Sunday night block known as "The Colgate Comedy Hour" (Sept. 1950 to Dec. 1955). Also known as, "The Chevy Show with Bob Hope." When the first special debuted in October of 1950 it was the most expensive television program made up to that point - costing an astronomical $1,500 a minute to produce. Bob Hope had his own television show and radio show at the same time. For the next three seasons, The Bob Hope Show was broadcast once a month on Tuesday nights, giving Milton Berle a week off. Bob ended his radio show in April, 1956. Bob Hope also had another show by a similar name, "The Bob Hope Show (All Star Revue)". In addition, he performed in "Specials" for many years. It is the longest running variety program in television's history with a record of 45 years of televised entertainment.Thriller
6.6
Overview:
Thriller is a British television series, originally broadcast in the UK from 1973 to 1976. It is an anthology series: each episode has a self-contained story and its own cast. As the title suggests, each story is a thriller of some variety, from tales of the supernatural to down-to-earth whodunits.The Dean Martin Show
7.316
Overview:
The Dean Martin Show, also known as The Dean Martin Variety Show, is a TV variety-comedy series that ran from 1965 to 1974 for 264 episodes. It was broadcast by NBC and hosted by entertainer Dean Martin. The theme song to the series was his 1964 hit "Everybody Loves Somebody."Ellery Queen
7.4
Overview:
Ellery Queen is an American television detective mystery series based on the fictional character Ellery Queen. It aired on NBC during the 1975-76 television season and stars Jim Hutton as Ellery Queen, David Wayne as his father, Inspector Richard Queen, and Tom Reese as Sgt. Velie. Created by the writing/producing team of Richard Levinson and William Link, the title character "breaks" the fourth wall to ask the audience to consider their solution.The Dinah Shore Chevy Show
6
Overview:
The Dinah Shore Chevy Show is an American variety series hosted by Dinah Shore, and broadcast on NBC from October 1956 to June 1963. The series was sponsored by the Chevrolet Motor Division of General Motors and its theme song, sung by Shore, was "See the U.S.A. in Your Chevrolet", which continued to be used in Chevrolet advertising for several more years after the cancellation of the show.Acting
2019Nice Girls Don't Stay for Breakfast as Self - Actress
2013Struck by Lightning as Grandma
2006Candles on Bay Street as Rosemary
2006A Very Serious Person as Mrs. A
2005Commander in Chief (10 Episodes) as Kate Allen
2004Desperate Housewives (10 Episodes) as Stella Wingfield
1999Twice in a Lifetime (2 Episodes) as Judge Deborah
1999The Sopranos (1 Episode) as Fran Felstein
1998Doris Day: It's Magic as Self
1996For Hope as Molly Altman
1996In the Blink of an Eye as Murial
1996Once Upon a Time... When We Were Colored as Miss Maybry
1995The Surrogate as Sandy Gilman
1995Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde as Unknown
1994Touched by an Angel (1 Episode) as Stella Applegate
1994Leave of Absence as Janet
1994Burke's Law (1 Episode) as Rachel Doucet
1993Perry Mason: The Case of the Skin-Deep Scandal as Barbara Fox
1991The Lightning Incident as Carol
1991Robert Mitchum: The Reluctant Star as Self
1991Baby Talk (23 Episodes) as Doris Campbell
1990Cry-Baby as Mrs. Vernon-Williams
1989My Brother's Wife as Myra Gilbert
1989The Haunting of Sarah Hardy as Emily Thetford
1989Mother, Mother as Barbara Cutler
1988She Was Marked for Murder as Laura Lee Webster
1988War and Remembrance (12 Episodes) as Rhoda Henry
1988Addicted to His Love as Vivien Langford
1987Jake and the Fatman (1 Episode) as Emma Julian
1987Making Mr. Right as Estelle Stone
1984Murder, She Wrote (1 Episode) as Dr. Jocelyn Laird
1984Velvet as Mrs. Vance
1983The Winds of War (7 Episodes) as Rhoda Henry
1982Born Beautiful as Marion Carmody
1982Hotel (1 Episode) as Elizabeth Hastings
1981The Million Dollar Face as Jo Burns
1978Li'l Abner in the Dogpatch Today as Phyllis Shoefly
1978How to Pick Up Girls! as Dana Greenberg
1977Telethon as Dorothy Goodwin
197779 Park Avenue (3 Episodes) as Vera Keppler
1977The Love Boat (1, 2 Episode) as Maisie Nolan, Dana Pierce
1975Murder on Flight 502 as Mona Briarly
1975Ellery Queen (1 Episode) as Dina Carroll-Winer
1974Death Cruise as Sylvia Carter
1973Thriller (1 Episode) as Suzy Hunter
1973An Echo of Theresa as Suzy Hunter
1967The Danny Thomas Hour (1 Episode) as Self
1967A Guide for the Married Man as Technical Adviser (Clara Brown)
1965The Dean Martin Show (1 Episode) as Unknown
1964Kisses for My President as Leslie McCloud
1964The Hollywood Palace (1, 1, 1 Episode) as Self - Singer / Sketch Actor, Self, Self - Singer
1963Move Over, Darling as Bianca Steele
1963Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (1 Episode) as Jennifer Randolph
1963The Caretakers as Lorna Melford
1962The Merv Griffin Show (1 Episode) as Self
1962The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (6 Episodes) as Self
1962Belle Sommers as Belle Sommers
1962Cape Fear as Peggy Bowden
1961The Mike Douglas Show (6, 10 Episode) as Self, Self - Co-Host
1961Dr. Kildare (1 Episode) as Janice Graham / Cathy Brandon
1959Startime (2 Episodes) as Unknown
1959The Bell Telephone Hour (1, 4 Episode) as Self, Self - Hostess
1958Kraft Music Hall (1 Episode) as Unknown
1958The Dick Clark Show (1 Episode) as Self
1957The Polly Bergen Show (18 Episodes) as Host
1957Wagon Train (1 Episode) as Kitty Allbright
1957Art Ford's Greenwich Village Party (1 Episode) as Self
1957American Bandstand (1 Episode) as Self
1957The Helen Morgan Story as Helen Morgan
1956The Dinah Shore Chevy Show (3 Episodes) as Self
1956Tony Awards (1, 1 Episode) as Self - Nominee/Performer, Self - Presenter
1955Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1 Episode) as Crystal Coe
1954The Jimmy Durante Show (1 Episode) as Self
1954Max Liebman Presents (1 Episode) as Unknown
1954The Blue Angel (15 Episodes) as Co-Host
1953Escape from Fort Bravo as Alice Owens
1953The Pepsi-Cola Playhouse (40, 1 Episode) as Self - Hostess, Host
1953Arena as Ruth Danvers
1953Fast Company as Carol Maldon
1953Cry of the Hunted as Janet Tunner
1953The Oscars (1 Episode) as Self
1953General Electric Theater (1 Episode) as Susan Barry
1951Hallmark Hall of Fame (1 Episode) as Rosemary
1951Warpath as Molly Quade
1951The Stooge as Mary Turner
1951Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1, 1 Episode) as Shirley, Dellie
1951The Red Skelton Show (1, 1, 1 Episode) as Self / Myrtle, Sally Suey, Clara Appleby
1951That's My Boy as Betty 'Babs' Hunter
1950At War with the Army as Helen Palmer
1950The Jack Benny Program (1 Episode) as Self
1950The Colgate Comedy Hour (1 Episode) as Self
1950The Men as Nightclub Singer (Uncredited)
1950The Bob Hope Show (1 Episode) as Self
1950What's My Line? (3, 1 Episode) as Self - Mystery Guest, Self - Panelist
1949Across The Rio Grande as Polly Burgin
1949Champion as Radio and Jukebox Singer (voice) (uncredited)
1948The Ed Sullivan Show (7 Episodes) as Self
1944Golden Globe Awards (2 Episodes) as Self - Presenter