Sylvia Field
Encyclopedia
Sylvia Field was an American actress whose several-decades-long career encompassed performances on stage, screen, and TV, where she was best known for playing the understanding Mrs. Martha Wilson on the sitcom Dennis the Menace on CBS
from 1959 to 1962.
in Arlington, Massachusetts. Field began her acting career on the stage. She made her Broadway
debut at age 17 in 1918 in The Betrothal (1918). After appearing in various stage productions, Field made her film debut in the 1928 drama The Home Girl.
Field began appearing in guest spots in television in the late 1940s. In 1949, she starred in a locally-produced sitcom about her life, The Truex Family. In 1952, she landed the role of
Mrs. Remington the sitcom in Mr. Peepers
. The show, which aired until 1955, co-starred Field's real-life husband Ernest Truex
. After the end of Mr. Peepers, Field continued to guest star in episodic television, including roles on Producers' Showcase
, Star Tonight
, General Electric Theater
, and The Ann Sothern Show
.
In 1959, Field began appearing as Martha Wilson in the CBS sitcom Dennis the Menace. Field's character was written out of the series in 1962 due to the death of Joseph Kearns
, who portrayed the role of George Wilson, Martha's husband. Field continued in guest spots during the mid 1960s. She made her final onscreen appearance in a 1975 episode of Harry O.
, to whom she remained married until Truex's death in 1973.
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
from 1959 to 1962.
Early life and career
Born Harriet Louisa Johnson in Allston, Massachusetts, she attended Arlington High SchoolArlington High School (Arlington, Massachusetts)
Arlington High School is a secondary school located in Arlington, Massachusetts. As of 2010, the school enrolls approximately 1,300 students annually. The current school principal is Mary Villano.-History:...
in Arlington, Massachusetts. Field began her acting career on the stage. She made her Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
debut at age 17 in 1918 in The Betrothal (1918). After appearing in various stage productions, Field made her film debut in the 1928 drama The Home Girl.
Field began appearing in guest spots in television in the late 1940s. In 1949, she starred in a locally-produced sitcom about her life, The Truex Family. In 1952, she landed the role of
Mrs. Remington the sitcom in Mr. Peepers
Mr. Peepers
Mr. Peepers is an American television sitcom that aired on NBC from July 3, 1952 to June 12, 1955.-Overview:Mr. Peepers starred Wally Cox as Jefferson City's junior high school science teacher Robinson J. Peepers...
. The show, which aired until 1955, co-starred Field's real-life husband Ernest Truex
Ernest Truex
Ernest Truex was an American actor of stage and film.-Career:...
. After the end of Mr. Peepers, Field continued to guest star in episodic television, including roles on Producers' Showcase
Producers' Showcase
Producers' Showcase is an American anthology television series that was telecast live during the 1950s in compatible color by NBC. With top talent, the 90-minute episodes, covering a wide variety of genres, aired under the title every fourth Monday at 8 p.m. ET for three seasons, beginning October...
, Star Tonight
Star Tonight
Star Tonight, an American television anthology series, aired on ABC from February 1955 to August 1956.-Adaptations and actors:It consisted of 80 total episodes, 30 from 1955 and 50 from 1956. Each episode was a self-contained story, usually adapted from famous plays, short-stories or novels by some...
, General Electric Theater
General Electric Theater
General Electric Theater is an American anthology series hosted by Ronald W. Reagan that was broadcast on CBS radio and television. The series was sponsored by General Electric's Department of Public Relations.-Radio:...
, and The Ann Sothern Show
The Ann Sothern Show
The Ann Sothern Show is an American sitcom starring Ann Sothern that aired on CBS for 93 episodes. The series began on October 6, 1958, and ended on September 25, 1961. The Ann Sothern Show was Sothern's second sitcom for CBS...
.
In 1959, Field began appearing as Martha Wilson in the CBS sitcom Dennis the Menace. Field's character was written out of the series in 1962 due to the death of Joseph Kearns
Joseph Kearns
Joseph Sherrard Kearns was an American actor, who is best remembered for his role as George Wilson in the CBS television series Dennis the Menace from 1959 until his death in 1962.-Biography:...
, who portrayed the role of George Wilson, Martha's husband. Field continued in guest spots during the mid 1960s. She made her final onscreen appearance in a 1975 episode of Harry O.
Personal life
Field was married three times. Her first marriage was to Robert J. Frowhlich from 1924 to 1929. Her second, to Harold Moffat in 1930, produced one daughter. Moffat died in 1938. In 1941, she married actor Ernest TruexErnest Truex
Ernest Truex was an American actor of stage and film.-Career:...
, to whom she remained married until Truex's death in 1973.