Laverne & Shirley Actress Betty Garrett Dies

Betty Garrett, best known for her TV roles in Laverne & Shirley and All in the Family, has died, according to The Associated Press. She was 91.

Garrett died Saturday, probably from an aortic aneurysm, at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, her son, Garrett Parks, told the news agency. She had checked into the hospital the day before with heart trouble.

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The actress started out on Broadway in the early '40s, appearing in musicals such as Something for the Boys and Call Me Mister. She transitioned into films, appearing in On the Town and Take Me Out to the Ball Game opposite Frank Sinatra.

Garrett's film career was cut short after her husband, actor Larry Parks, testified to congressmen about his earlier membership in the Communist Party.

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Later on, Garrett starred on All in the Family from 1973 to 1975 as neighbor Ilene. She was then cast as landlady Edna Babish, who married Laverne's father, on Laverne & Shirley, for which she won a Golden Globe award as best supporting actress in a TV or miniseries.

Garrett appeared on other series including The Golden Girls, Grey's Anatomy and Becker, which earned her an Emmy nomination for best guest actress in a comedy series.

Garrett is survived by her sons, Garrett and Andrew Parks, and her granddaughter, Madison Claire Parks.