Do You Remember Jo Anne Worley And Her Famous Catchphrase “Was that a chicken joke”

Who exactly is Jo Anne Worley?

Jo Anne Worley is an American film, television, and stage actress, comedian, singer, and television personality best known to the world as a performer on the television show “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-in” (1967-1973), among many other performances.

What is Jo Anne Worley up to these days? Is she gone?

Jo Anne Worley is not dead, but is very much alive and well in show business. She most recently appeared on the discussion show “The Hollywood Moment at Home Edition 2020.” She resides in the Los Angeles region on the west coast, although she also visits New York.

Age, childhood, parents, and education

Jo Anne Worley was born on September 6, 1937, in Lowell, Indiana, USA, to Joseph Lauraine Worley and Rose Irene Worley (nee Gardner). She is the third of five children born to her parents, and she has four half-siblings from her father’s second marriage, which occurred after her parents separated in 1962. She enrolled at a local high school in her village and graduated in 1955. She then relocated to Blauvelt, New York, and joined Pickwick Players, launching her professional career. Despite this, she was able to attend Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas, where she studied acting. Jo Anne went to Los Angeles City College two years later and also studied at the Pasadena Playhouse.

Career Beginnings

As she became increasingly involved in show business, Jo Anne landed her first musical part in a production of “Wonderful Town,” which was quickly followed by her first significant performance, in the musical “Billy Barnes People” (1961). The production was stopped after six performances, although Jo Anne got great feedback. Three years later, she made her Broadway debut in “Hello, Dolly!” Her reputation grew quickly, and she founded her own nightclub in Greenwich Village in 1966. Merv Griffin, television program presenter and media magnate best known as the host of his own “The Merv Griffin Show,” saw her after a few appearances. Merv placed her on his own program when she was discovered, and she appeared in roughly 40 episodes.

Climb to Popularity

Jo Anne rose through the ranks and was featured in the musical revue “The Mad Show,” based on “Mad Magazine,” in 1966. She was found in 1967 by George Schlatter, who presented her to “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-in.” She appeared in about 60 episodes of the Primetime Emmy Award-winning sitcom from 1967 to 1970, becoming an international celebrity. She left the program to pursue other endeavors, but reappeared as a guest performer in 1973. She next participated in the TV series “Love, American Style” (1970-1973) and prolonged her career with roles in “Adam-12” (1972) and “The Six Million Dollar Man” (1974), as well as the film “The Shaggy D.A.” in 1976.

She continued to work as an actress until 2012, but had little success on television, making only a few guest appearances, despite having worked as a voice actress, lending her voice to characters such as Wardrobe in the animated film “Beauty and the Beast” (1991), Miss Maples in “A Goofy Movie” (1995), and Mrs. Rockwaller in the animated series “Kim Possible,” among many others. In 2012, she played Miss Lambert in the television series “The Middle.”

Work in the theater and on television

Jo Anne Worley has been in various theater productions, including “Once Upon a Mattress,” “Anything Goes,” “Annie Get Your Gun,” and “Gypsy: A Musical Fable” at the Melody Top Theater in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

She also appeared in “Same Time, Next Year” at the Welk Dinner Theater in San Diego, California, and “Nunsense” at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts in La Mirada, California (1991). She played the Wicked Witch of the West in “The Wizard of Oz” (1999) and Mrs. Tottendale in “The Drowsy Chaperone,” which was produced at the Marquis Theatre in 2007.

In terms of tv appearances, she was a frequent panelist on “The Hollywood Squares” (1968-1977), and later a celebrity competitor on “The $25,000 Pyramid” (1983-1986), “Super Password” (1984-1986), and “The $100,000 Pyramid” (1986-1988), among many others.

Personal Affairs, Marriage, Spouse, and Philanthropic Work

From 1975 through 2000, Jo Anne Worley was wedded to actor Roger Perry; they had no kids. He is most well-known for his roles as James Harrigan Jr. in the TV series “Harrigan and Son” (1960-1961) and as Dr. James ‘Jim’ Hayes in the fantasy horror film “Count Yorga, Vampire” (1968). (1970).

Jo Anne is recognized for her love of animals and has worked with the group “Actors and Others for Animals,” which was founded in 1971 by Goldie Hawn. The organization’s mission is to aid and nurture many types of animals. She has been the organization’s president since 2007, after previously serving as vice president.

Monetary value

Jo Anne Worley’s net worth is projected to be approximately $2 million as of mid-2021, derived from her illustrious career as an entertainer and television personality spanning over 60 years.

Appearance and Vital Statistics

This well-known actress has dark brown eyes and black hair. She stands 5ft 8ins (1.73m) tall and weighs roughly 135lbs (61kg). Her vital signs are 40-28-40.

Interests, Facts, and Trivia

Jo Anne has a pet dog named Harmony that she carries everywhere she goes since she is an animal lover. She enjoys spending time with the dog and believes it to be a member of the family.

She has performed with the US Air Force Band, as well as for Vietnam Veterans at the Vietnam Wall.

Jerry Lewis inspired Jo Anne Worley to pursue a job in show biz, and she finally worked with him on his television variety show. She has also stated that she admires the late Robin Williams and Jonathan Winters’ work.

Bill Cullen, Julie London, Nipsey Russell, and Dick Clark are all close friends of Jo Anne’s.

She lives in Toluca Lake, across the street from legendary comic Bob Hope.

Jo Anne was well-known as an actress and performer for her tagline, “Was that a chicken joke?” Jo Anne is noted for her masculine voice, and when she was a small child, she admitted to lip-syncing the songs because she was frightened she would overwhelm everyone else.

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