Inga Swenson, a renowned American actress, was born on December 29, 1932, and passed away on July 23, 2023. She graduated from Central High School in Omaha, Nebraska, in the Class of 1950, and later attended Northwestern University, where she was a member of the Alpha Phi sorority and studied in the esteemed Drama Department.
Swenson is widely recognized for her iconic portrayal of Gretchen Kraus, the strict and sarcastic German cook, later Head Housekeeper and Budget Director, on the popular TV sitcom "Benson." She landed the role after appearing in a multi-episode stint as Ingrid Svenson, the birth mother of Corinne Tate, on the TV sitcom "Soap." Both series were created by Susan Harris and produced by Witt-Thomas-Harris Productions, the same team behind "The Golden Girls" and "Empty Nest."
In addition to her work on "Benson" and "Soap," Swenson appeared as Maude Hazard, the matriarch of a northern family, in the acclaimed mini-series "North and South" in 1985 and 1986. Earlier in her career, she had a notable turn on the TV western series "Bonanza" in two episodes: "Inger, My Love" (1962) and "Journey Remembered" (1963). She also guest-starred in an episode of Lorne Greene's short-lived crime drama "Griff" after "Bonanza" ended its 14-year run.
Swenson's early career also included supporting roles in the films "Advise and Consent" (1962) and "The Miracle Worker" (1962),in which she played Helen Keller's mother. She was a trained lyric soprano and starred on Broadway in "New Faces" (circa 1956) and "The First Gentleman" (1959). Her performances in "110 in the Shade" (1964) and "Baker Street" (1965) earned her Tony Award nominations for Best Actress in a Musical.
In her personal life, Swenson was married to actor-singer Lowell Harris, with whom she had two sons, James (deceased) and Mark. Despite her Swedish-sounding name and trademark accent on "Benson," Swenson was born and raised in the United States and normally spoke with an American accent.
