R.I.P. Joyce Randolph, Trixie from The Honeymooners and last surviving member of the classic foursome

The last core member of the classic comedy was discovered by Gleason after being cast in a commercial.

The Everett Collection

Joyce Randolph, who played Trixie, the wife of Art Carney's blue-collar Ed Norton on The Honeymooners, has passed away.

She was the last surviving member of the classic core cast, composed of Jackie Gleason and Audrey Meadows as Ralph and Alice Kramden and their best friends, Ed and Trixie Norton, played by Carney and Randolph.

In 1951, the Cadbury company launched a new line of mints called Clorets. The brand bought some ad space on Cavalcade of Stars, the variety show hosted by Jackie Gleason. Randolph acted in a live Clorets commercial on the program and Gleason took notice.

Gleason had his Honeymooners sketch, which initially featured Elaine Stritch as Trixie Norton, originally a burlesque dancer. That iteration of Trixie was fleeting, as Randolph took over the role opposite Art Carney.

Once deemed "The Garbo of Detroit," Randolph became the inspiration for Betty Rubble of The Flintstones, who was voiced by Bea Benaderet of Petticoat Junction.

Gleason's habit of not rehearsing made the other actors nervous at first. “We just played ourselves,” Randolph told The New York Times in 2012. “Nobody told us to characterize in any way. It was learn those lines and go on." Randolph's favorite episode was "the sleepwalking one" (presumably season one's "The Sleepwalker") but she still said she "loved them all".

Randolph was 99 years old.


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42 Comments

jacko3 1 month ago
Miss Joyce Randolph from all my tv views of her, was a lovely lady ... classy in nature - so hard to fathom these great stars of early television are leaving us ... even as they gracefully get old-er - GOD BLESS her and May the Living True LORD be with Joyce - and family & friends - forever - Amen - Alleluia!
Tresix 8 months ago
I don’t know why, but I always feel sad when the end music for the show plays. Needless to say, I felt even more so after Ms. Randolph’s death.
professorecho Tresix 8 months ago
That’s so interesting as I too feel a bit sad during the theme playing on the end credits of episodes. I also feel a strange nostalgia for the era, especially when I see the credit for the hotel in NYC where Gleason’s production company was headquartered. Why would I feel nostalgia for that? I hadn’t even been born yet when that show aired. There is something both wistful and melancholic to those end credits and the music. I don’t know what or why, but I feel it.
George58 8 months ago
R.I.P. Joyce. "The Honeymooners", a classic comedy show that had the most simple set on TV. A show so funny that you could watch a certain episode a hundred times, and know what's coming, and STILL laugh every single time. Not many shows can claim that fame.
AgingDisgracefully 8 months ago
Is it true she once kept Gleason stable before ambulances arrived to treat another scenery overdose?
cperrynaples 8 months ago
If you're wondering why Joyce didn't do the color shows, it was because she chose being a wife and mother over acting! She would do interviews beginning with the 1985 "lost Honeymooners" release! BTW, you can see those on Catchy Comedy!
Kramden62 cperrynaples 8 months ago
I have the DVD box sets of both the Classic 39 and the lost episodes of "The Honeymooners."

R.I.P., Joyce Randolph. Now you're back together again with Ralph, Alice, and Ed. You will be missed.
Runeshaper 8 months ago
R.I.P. Joyce Randolph. Such a talented lady ❤️🙏
frenchman71 8 months ago
Goodbye, Joyce. You were a part of TV's greatness and part of one of the best shows ever. Now that you and the other cast members are together, you can now entertain the rest of heaven.
beaver1 frenchman71 8 months ago
You know there is a lot of great talent now in heaven. When I go up it will be a Blast to the Past.
Sway 8 months ago
RIP Joyce Randall 🕊️. You were great as Trixie.
BrittReid 8 months ago
R.I.P. Joyce Randolph. We loved you as Trixie. A genuine nice lady. Sad news to hear .
ColorTVisapassingfad 8 months ago
Joyce Randolph was a wonderful and gracious Ambassador for this classic show. In the 80s I sent her several Honeymooner photos. She not only signed them but sent some of her own and wrote me a note. End of an era for sure.
cperrynaples 8 months ago
I'm surprized this got up so quickly! I knew about Joyce being a replacement and that Betty Rubble was her cartoon counterpart! However, I have to correct the Clorets reference! They weren't dinner mints, I believe they were shaped like Chiklets and were meant to treat bad breath!
cperrynaples cperrynaples 8 months ago
PS we also lost Bill Hayes from Days Of Our Lives! He sang the Davy Crockett theme and appeared as recently as last month as Doug Williams!
Adamtwelvia 8 months ago
R.I.P Trixie. Now you're reunited with your Ed up in Heaven.
I wonder if ME TV is gonna do a tribute to her?
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