Mary Lou Metzger
Encyclopedia
Mary Lou Metzger is an American
singer and dancer best known as a cast member on The Lawrence Welk Show
.
The only child of Ernie and Helen Metzger, the family moved to Havertown, Pennsylvania
where at the age of seven Metzger officially began her performing career, which included appearances on The Ted Mack Amateur Hour and acting in a national tour of The Music Man
by Meredith Willson
.
While a student at Temple University
, she went to Los Angeles
, California
to appear on the television program GE College Bowl; while there she auditioned for Lawrence Welk
and was accepted in the show's apprentice training program.
During her twelve years on the show, she sang as part of a female trio with fellow Welk stars Gail Farrell
and Sandi Griffiths
, various group numbers, and song-and-dance numbers with Jack Imel
; she also danced with the maestro himself at the end of each show. She was the most popular member of the trio and endeared herself to the audience with her trademark big smile, which to this day is her most famous attribute.
After the show ended its regular run on television, she continued to pursue acting, which included commercials, and parts on both the small and the big screen, such as Garry Marshall
's 1999 film The Other Sister
. She also co-founded the Actors' Conservatory Ensemble theater group in 1990.
Metzger continues to perform with Welk alumni on concert tours, and regularly appears on pledge drives for PBS, which now airs The Lawrence Welk Show
on more than 250 stations. Through much of the late 2000s, she hosted the wraparounds of the show featuring interviews
with members of the Musical Family, conducted by Metzger herself. (She has since been replaced by Bobby Burgess
for most episodes, though episodes hosted by Metzger continue to occasionally appear.)
She is married to Richard Maloof
, who played double bass
and tuba
on the Welk show. They make their home in Sherman Oaks, California
.
Metzger is left-handed.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer and dancer best known as a cast member on The Lawrence Welk Show
The Lawrence Welk Show
The Lawrence Welk Show is an American televised musical variety show hosted by big band leader Lawrence Welk. The series aired locally in Los Angeles for four years , then nationally for another 27 years via the ABC network and first-run syndication .In the years since first-run syndication...
.
The only child of Ernie and Helen Metzger, the family moved to Havertown, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
where at the age of seven Metzger officially began her performing career, which included appearances on The Ted Mack Amateur Hour and acting in a national tour of The Music Man
The Music Man
The Music Man is a musical with book, music, and lyrics by Meredith Willson, based on a story by Willson and Franklin Lacey. The plot concerns con man Harold Hill, who poses as a boys' band organizer and leader and sells band instruments and uniforms to naive townsfolk before skipping town with...
by Meredith Willson
Meredith Willson
Robert Meredith Willson was an American composer, songwriter, conductor and playwright, best known for writing the book, music and lyrics for the hit Broadway musical The Music Man...
.
While a student at Temple University
Temple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
, she went to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
to appear on the television program GE College Bowl; while there she auditioned for Lawrence Welk
Lawrence Welk
Lawrence Welk was an American musician, accordionist, bandleader, and television impresario, who hosted The Lawrence Welk Show from 1955 to 1982...
and was accepted in the show's apprentice training program.
During her twelve years on the show, she sang as part of a female trio with fellow Welk stars Gail Farrell
Gail Farrell
Gail Farrell American singer and songwriter who is famous as a member of the long running TV musical variety program The Lawrence Welk Show.-Biography:...
and Sandi Griffiths
Sandi Griffiths
Sandi Griffiths is an American singer. She is best known as a performer on American television's The Lawrence Welk Show.-Early years:...
, various group numbers, and song-and-dance numbers with Jack Imel
Jack Imel
Lawrence Jack Imel is an American singer, dancer, musician, and television producer who is best known for his work on The Lawrence Welk Show....
; she also danced with the maestro himself at the end of each show. She was the most popular member of the trio and endeared herself to the audience with her trademark big smile, which to this day is her most famous attribute.
After the show ended its regular run on television, she continued to pursue acting, which included commercials, and parts on both the small and the big screen, such as Garry Marshall
Garry Marshall
Garry Kent Marshall is an American actor, director, writer and producer. His notable credits include creating Happy Days and The Odd Couple and directing Nothing In Common, Pretty Woman, Runaway Bride, Valentine's Day, and The Princess Diaries.-Early life:Marshall was born in the New York City...
's 1999 film The Other Sister
The Other Sister
The Other Sister is a 1999 romantic comedy film starring Juliette Lewis, Giovanni Ribisi, Diane Keaton, and Tom Skerritt. Garry Marshall directed the film...
. She also co-founded the Actors' Conservatory Ensemble theater group in 1990.
Metzger continues to perform with Welk alumni on concert tours, and regularly appears on pledge drives for PBS, which now airs The Lawrence Welk Show
The Lawrence Welk Show
The Lawrence Welk Show is an American televised musical variety show hosted by big band leader Lawrence Welk. The series aired locally in Los Angeles for four years , then nationally for another 27 years via the ABC network and first-run syndication .In the years since first-run syndication...
on more than 250 stations. Through much of the late 2000s, she hosted the wraparounds of the show featuring interviews
Interviews
Interviews is:# the plural form of "interview"# a compilation album by Bob Marley & the Wailers, see Interviews # a C++ toolkit for the X Window System, see InterViews...
with members of the Musical Family, conducted by Metzger herself. (She has since been replaced by Bobby Burgess
Bobby Burgess
Robert Wilkie "Bobby" Burgess is an American dancer and singer. As a child he was an original Mouseketeer and later in life a regular on the The Lawrence Welk Show.-Early life:...
for most episodes, though episodes hosted by Metzger continue to occasionally appear.)
She is married to Richard Maloof
Richard Maloof
Richard Maloof is an American musician who played bass and tuba for the Lawrence Welk orchestra.He was born and raised by Cy and Lucille Maloofas, one of three children. Richard graduated from San Juan High School in Citrus Heights, then attended Sacramento State University, Los Angeles City...
, who played double bass
Double bass
The double bass, also called the string bass, upright bass, standup bass or contrabass, is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra, with strings usually tuned to E1, A1, D2 and G2...
and tuba
Tuba
The tuba is the largest and lowest-pitched brass instrument. Sound is produced by vibrating or "buzzing" the lips into a large cupped mouthpiece. It is one of the most recent additions to the modern symphony orchestra, first appearing in the mid-19th century, when it largely replaced the...
on the Welk show. They make their home in Sherman Oaks, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
Metzger is left-handed.