It’s always surprising to see some of our favorite TV stars from the past stepping out in public after years away from the spotlight.
Recently, Beverly Archer, the beloved actress from the ’80s sitcom Mama’s Family, was spotted in Los Angeles — and she looked quite different from her on-screen days.
From Mama’s Family to Voice Acting: Beverly’s Career Highlights
Beverly Archer, now 76, made her mark playing Iola Boylen, the quirky and loyal best friend and neighbor to Thelma “Mama” Harper in Mama’s Family.
The show itself was a spin-off from The Carol Burnett Show, based on a series of sketches that captured family chaos and humor.
You might also remember the series because it featured legends like Betty White and Rue McClanahan before they headed off to star in The Golden Girls.
But Beverly’s career didn’t stop there. She was also Gunny Sgt. Alva Bricker for three years on Major Dad, had a recurring role as Shirley Sherwood on The Young and the Restless in 1999, and lent her voice to popular animated shows like Rugrats, Aaahh!!! Real Monsters, and the Jumanji TV series.
A Casual Day Out in LA
When Beverly stepped out recently, she kept it simple and comfortable — sporting a grey button-down shirt and jeans.
It was a relaxed spring day, perfect for low-key casual wear, and a far cry from the glamorous TV sets she once graced.
The Syndicated Version of Mama’s Family: A New Chapter
The original Mama’s Family ran on NBC from 1983 to 1985.
After NBC canceled it, the show was revived in first-run syndication from 1986 to 1990, which is when Beverly joined the cast.
This syndicated version was essentially a fresh take on the series, created by Joe Hamilton, a pioneer who saw the potential of syndication before it was a big thing.
Interestingly, Betty White and Rue McClanahan didn’t come back for the syndicated run since their careers were taking off in other directions.
Beverly described the two versions of the show as separate worlds, with a whole new cast and vibe in the syndicated one.
Life Behind the Scenes: Memories and Laughs
Beverly fondly recalls working with her co-star Ken Berry, who played Vinton Harper.
She mentioned that Ken was endlessly funny, always making the cast laugh — so much so that his goof-ups often made it into the final episodes.
Sadly, Ken passed away in 2018, but Beverly’s memories of his humor remain bright.
Setting the Record Straight: The Death Rumor
For years, Beverly stayed out of the public eye and rarely gave interviews.
But in 2012, she finally spoke out to debunk a false rumor claiming she had died.
The hoax upset her mostly because she worried people might have mistakenly contacted her mother with condolences.
Beyond that, she took it in stride and clarified she was very much alive.
