Joyce Randolph, the beloved stage and television actor best known for her role as Trixie Norton on “The Honeymooners,” has passed away at the age of 99. Randolph died of natural causes at her home on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
“The Honeymooners” was a popular comedy show from the 1950s that provided a humorous look at Brooklyn tenement life. Randolph played the savvy and quick-witted Trixie Norton, the perfect counterpart to her dimwitted TV husband. The show, based in part on star Jackie Gleason’s childhood, followed the lives of Ralph and Alice Kramden, played by Gleason and Audrey Meadows, and their friends Ed and Trixie Norton, played by Art Carney and Joyce Randolph. Trixie and Alice often found themselves commiserating over their husbands’ various follies and mishaps.
Originally starting as a recurring skit on Gleason’s variety show, “Cavalcade of Stars,” “The Honeymooners” quickly gained popularity and became a full-fledged series for one season in 1955-56. The 39 episodes of the show became a syndicated hit, airing all over the country and beyond.
In a 2007 interview with The New York Times, Randolph revealed that she hadn’t received any compensation in residuals for those 39 episodes. However, she began receiving royalties with the discovery of “lost” episodes from the variety hours. After five years as a member of Gleason’s on-the-air repertory company, Randolph chose to focus on her marriage and motherhood, essentially retiring from acting.
Despite stepping away from the spotlight, Randolph continued to receive fan mail and admiration from her loyal supporters. She enjoyed spending time at the downstairs bar at Sardi’s, where she would sip on her favorite White Cadillac drink and chat with patrons who recognized her from a portrait of the show’s characters over the bar.
It wasn’t until the early 1980s that Randolph realized the impact “The Honeymooners” had on television viewers. Her son, who was attending Yale at the time, told her that people would approach him and ask if she was really Trixie. This revelation surprised her son, as he hadn’t paid much attention to his mother’s TV career before then.
Although Randolph cherished her time on “The Honeymooners,” she also felt that it limited her career opportunities. Directors would often reject her for roles, citing her association with the beloved character of Trixie. However, her portrayal of Trixie will forever be remembered and loved by fans of the show.
Sadly, Joyce Randolph is the last surviving main character from “The Honeymooners.” Jackie Gleason passed away in 1987, followed by Audrey Meadows in 1996 and Art Carney in 2003. Gleason later revived the show in the 1960s, with Jane Kean taking on the role of Trixie.
Joyce Randolph’s talent and charm brought joy to audiences around the world. Her legacy as Trixie Norton will forever be cherished, and she will be remembered as a beloved figure in television history..
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