Mitzi McCall, Comedian, Sitcom Writer and Half of the Comedy Duo McCall and Brill, Dies at 93

July 2024 · 4 minute read

Mitzi McCall, the trailblazing comedian, actress and half of the comedy duo McCall and Brill, died Thursday in Burbank. She was 93.

Born on Sept. 9, 1930, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, her comedic talents were evident early in life, leading to a distinguished career that spanned over seven decades. She emerged as a prominent voice in the male-dominated comedy world, paving the way for future generations of female comedians.

McCall’s legacy is perhaps most enduringly marked by her work with her husband, actor and comedian Charlie Brill, as part of the comedy duo “McCall and Brill.” The pair became television staples, gracing numerous variety shows, including a memorable appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” during The Beatles’ American debut in 1964 — a moment that has since become television history.

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Mitzi’s career began in the late 1940s with a stage debut at the Pittsburgh Playhouse in “Strange Bedfellows” in 1948. In the early 1950s, she hosted the Kiddie Castle program on KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh, establishing herself as a versatile and engaging performer. By 1953, she was featured on Studio 10 on KGTV in San Diego, California.

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Her television career included appearances on shows like “Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In,” “Life Goes On,” “Silk Stalkings,” “Seinfeld,” “Roseanne,” “Dharma and Greg,” “Becker,” “The Twilight Zone” and “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody.”

In addition to her on-camera work, McCall enjoyed a successful career as a voice-over artist, bringing to life characters in animated series such as “Snorks,” “Mother Goose and Grimm,” “The Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show,” “The Flintstones” and “The Jetsons.” She also voiced Glyptodon in the animated feature “Ice Age.”

McCall’s film career included roles in “The White Palace,” “The Cry Baby Killer,” “Machine-Gun Kelly,” “War of the Satellites” and “Young at Heart.” She worked alongside entertainment legends such as Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin and Robin Williams.

Beyond her work in front of the camera, McCall was also a talented screenwriter, contributing to popular television shows like “Eight is Enough,” “One Day at a Time,” “Alf” and “Charles in Charge.” She was also a mentor and light for many in the industry, known for her “warmth, generosity, and unwavering support for fellow performers,” according to her publicist.

She mentored many in the entertainment industry, offering guidance and encouragement to the next generation of performers.

She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Charlie Brill, their daughter Jenny and nieces Toni Howard and Wendy Goldberg. Mitzi also leaves behind her godchildren, actors Melissa and Sara Gilbert.

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