Introduction
Nora Denney (September 3, 1927 – November 20, 2005), also credited as Dodo Denney, was an American actress. She is best remembered for her role as Mrs. Doris Teavee in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971).
Career
Her show business career began in Kansas City when she was hired by the local television station Channel 5 (KCMO TV) to play "Marilyn the Witch", an onscreen host for horror movies. She performed in many television series, including Green Acres, Petticoat Junction, Bewitched, Hart to Hart, Get Smart, Room 222 and That Girl.
Her film credits include Who's Minding the Mint? (1967), I Walk the Line (1970), Do Not Fold, Spindle or Mutilate (1971), I Wonder Who's Killing Her Now? (1975), American Hot Wax (1978) and Truman (1995). She made her final film appearance in 1999 in Ang Lee's Ride with the Devil. She played school teacher "Mrs. Teavee" in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971), and appeared in Splash (1984).
Personal life
She was married to Alan Denney, an art director and illustrator for Hallmark Greeting Cards. While the couple raised their two sons, Dix and John, founders of the Los Angeles-based punk rock band The Weirdos, she became a film and television character actress.
Death
Denney died of cancer on November 20, 2005, aged 78.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | The New Phil Silvers Show | Agnes (as Dodo Denney) | Episode "Beauty and the Least" |
| 1966 | A Fine Madness | Waitress | Uncredited |
| 1967 | Who's Minding the Mint? | Bertha | |
| 1967 | Green Acres | Switchboard Operator (as Dodo Denney) | Season 3 Episode "The Thing" |
| 1969 | Green Acres | Operator | Season 4 Episode "Retreat From Washington" |
| 1970 | Petticoat Junction | Mrs. Graham (as Dodo Denney) | Season 7, Episode 26 |
| 1970 | I Walk the Line | Darlene Hunnicutt | |
| 1971 | Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory | Mrs. Teavee (as Dodo Denney) | |
| Do Not Fold, Spindle or Mutilate | Trudy | TV movie | |
| 1975 | I Wonder Who's Killing Her Now? | Theater Ticket Clerk | |
| 1978 | American Hot Wax | Louise's Mom | |
| 1980 | The Gong Show Movie | Tourist Lady | |
| 1981 | Force: Five | ||
| 1982 | Hart to Hart | Nurse Keyes | Season 4 Episode "Harts On Campus" |
| 1984 | Splash | Ms. Stein | |
| 1990 | Mr. and Mrs. Bridge | Second Bridge Player | |
| 1995 | Truman | Mama Truman | TV movie |
| 1999 | Ride with the Devil | Elderly Woman | (final film role) |