Mitzi McCall, a groundbreaking comedian, actress, and sitcom writer, passed away in Studio City, California on Thursday, August 8, 2024. She was 93. McCall was well-known for her collaborations with her husband of 64 years, Charlie Brill.
Brill expressed his grief on Facebook, where he announced McCall’s death. He wrote in a deeply felt message, “I lost my Mitzi last night. Rest in peace, my one and only love…Rest in peace and laughter.”
McCall was born Mitzi Steiner on September 9, 1930, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her career started on local television, where she was recognized for her pantomime performances on WDTV’s “Kiddie Castle.” One memorable anecdote from this time recounts how watching McCall helped a young girl with a cleft palate learn to speak correctly, indicative of the influence she would maintain throughout her career.
Upon moving to Hollywood, McCall signed with Paramount. She made her debut in the 1955 film “You’re Never Too Young,” starring Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. Although McCall had a prosperous career in film and television, her partnership with Charlie Brill became a significant part of her life.
The comedy duo, known as “McCall & Brill,” frequently appeared on variety shows including “The Tonight Show” and “Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In.” Their performance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” on February 9, 1964, is particularly noteworthy. Despite sharing the stage with The Beatles during their American debut and receiving a lukewarm response from the young audience, McCall and Brill later wore this experience as a badge of honor. “They didn’t have this expression then, but we sucked,” McCall remembered during a 2005 episode of NPR’s “This American Life.”
McCall also had a successful solo career, most notably as a voiceover artist. She gave voice to characters in animated series such as “Mother Goose and Grimm,” “The Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show,” “Darkwing Duck,” “Yo Yogi!,” and “Ice Age” (2002). Additionally, she appeared in several television shows, including “The Twilight Zone,” “Seinfeld,” “Dharma & Greg,” and “Silk Stalkings.”
In addition to her acting, McCall contributed as a writer to sitcoms like “Eight Is Enough,” “One Day at a Time,” “ALF,” “Mr. Belvedere,” “Charles in Charge,” and “Free for All.” Her diverse talents as a performer and writer earned her respect in the entertainment industry.
Mitzi McCall is survived by her husband, Charlie Brill, and their daughter, Jennifer.
