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Comedian and Writer Mitzi McCall Passes Away at 93

Mitzi McCall, the renowned comedian and sitcom writer known for her historic ties to The Beatles, has passed away at the age of 93. According to her family, she died on Thursday, August 8, at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

McCall and her husband, Charlie Brill, formed the comedy duo McCall & Brill, making their national television debut on February 9, 1964, during an episode of The Ed Sullivan Show. Their performance, however, was largely eclipsed by the presence of The Beatles, who were also making their American television debut that night.

As an estimated 73 million viewers tuned in, about 40% of the U.S. population, the audience in the studio was predominantly composed of teenage girls eager to see the iconic band. Reflecting on the experience, McCall humorously noted in a 2005 NPR interview, “They didn’t have this expression then, but we sucked.”

Born on September 9, 1930, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, McCall grew up immersed in the world of theater, often seen performing at the Pittsburgh Playhouse. She made her film debut in the 1955 comedy You’re Never Too Young, featuring Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.

It was through the Jerry Lewis Comedy Workshop that she met Charlie Brill, whom she married in 1960. The pair went on to showcase their comedic talents on various prominent shows, including The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In, as well as on game shows like Tattletales and Match Game.

Before their much-anticipated appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, McCall recalls receiving a warning from Sullivan himself about the crowd. “What you’re doing is lovely, but not for tonight,” he cautioned, adding that the audience was primarily composed of 14-year-olds. Despite their performance falling flat, this pivotal moment granted them some measure of fame. McCall later remarked, “People would come up to us and say, ‘Wasn’t that you that was on The Beatles show?’” illustrating the irony in their notoriety coming not from their own success but from their association with The Beatles.

In the subsequent years, McCall evolved her career and became a respected writer for several hit sitcoms, including Eight Is Enough, One Day at a Time, ALF, and Charles in Charge. She also made guest appearances on Seinfeld, had recurring roles on Life Goes On and Silk Stalkings, and starred in the 1990s series Alright Already.

Beyond her live performances, McCall was a versatile voice actor, with her last credited role being in the 2015 film Crimson Peak.

McCall is survived by her husband, Charlie Brill, their daughter, and two godchildren, Melissa and Sara Gilbert. Her legacy in the world of comedy and television will continue to be celebrated.

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