Yvonne Wilder


Yvonne Wilder was an American actress, comedian, writer, and artist. She appeared in West Side Story on stage and in the 1961 film, and had a busy career in American television from the 1960s into the 1990s.

Early life

Yvonne Othon was born in the Bronx, New York City. Her parents were from Cuba and Puerto Rico, but Othon did not learn to speak Spanish as a child. She attended the High School for Performing Arts, with further training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.

Career

As a young actress and dancer, Yvonne Othon appeared in shows starring Imogene Coca and Carol Burnett. While she was studying in London, Othon appeared in a West End production of West Side Story, and later played Anita in the first international touring company of the show. Othon's first screen credit was as Consuelo in West Side Story. She and Rita Moreno were among the few Puerto Rican performers playing Puerto Rican characters in the film, and they both worked with Natalie Wood on her accent as Maria. She attended some reunion events related to West Side Story. "She was a worldly, wiseass New Yorker, intelligent and very funny," recalled her friend and fellow dancer from West Side Story, actress Nobuko JoAnne Miyamoto.
Wilder was also known for roles in the vampire film, The Return of Count Yorga, which she co-wrote; and in Silent Movie, Bloodbrothers, Why Not Stay for Breakfast?, The Last Married Couple in America, and Seems Like Old Times.
Most of Wilder's work was in television, including roles in Hennesey, CBS Workshop, Hey, Landlord, Bracken's World, Room 222, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Courtship of Eddie's Father, The Partridge Family, The Girl with Something Extra, Death Sentence, On the Rocks, The Practice, Police Story, Operation Petticoat, The Tenth Month, One Day at a Time, Archie Bunker's Place, Mama's Family, Gimme a Break!, 227, The Equalizer, and Full House.
Wilder was also half of a comedy duo with Jack Colvin. Later in life, she was a painter and sculptor, and wrote a play, Weehawken, performed in Los Angeles in 1988.

Filmography

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1962HenneseyWaitress / Wave Corpsman Bertha Bartosik2 episodes
1964CBS Workshop1 episode
1967Hey, LandlordSecretary1 episode
1969Bracken's WorldEsta Goldman1 episode
1969–1970Room 222Mrs. Guerroro / Mrs. Musgrove2 episodes
1972The Mary Tyler Moore ShowBarbara Gardner1 episode
1972The Courtship of Eddie's FatherKathy1 episode
1971–1972The Partridge FamilyWaitress / Sheila4 episodes
1973The Girl with Something ExtraTaffy1 episode
1974Death SentenceElaine CroftTV movie
1975–1976On the RocksLillian2 episodes
1976The PracticeMrs. WiddicombEpisode: "The Snow Job"
1977Police StoryAngie1 episode
1977–1978Operation PetticoatMajor Edna Howard23 episodes
1979The Tenth MonthMrs. FigueroaTV movie
1979One Day at a TimeDr. Bradshaw1 episode
1981–1982Archie Bunker's PlaceKatherine Logan4 episodes
1983Mama's FamilyScarlett May Dubois1 episode
1986–1987Gimme a Break!5 episodes
1986–1989The EqualizerLettie
1988227Anna Gonzales1 episode
1988–1991Full HouseIrene Katsopolis7 episodes

Personal life

Wilder married five times. Her third husband was Bob Kelljan. Her fifth husband was Zach Kleiman. She had one son, Chris. She died at home in Los Angeles on November 24, 2021, at the age of 84.