Match the Supporting Actress with the Show - 1970s Quiz

Answer: Ellen Corby

The depression-era drama "The Waltons" ran from 1972-1981 in its original release and followed the life of the extended Walton family living in rural Virginia. Ellen Corby portrayed the feisty Esther "Grandma" Walton, a role she also portrayed in the television film "The Homecoming", which was the precursor to "The Waltons". Corby was a regular cast member on the show until she suffered a stroke during the fifth season.

She returned to the show at the end of the sixth season but only appeared sporadically and with limited lines as her stroke had been written into the show. Corby received five consecutive nominations (1973-1977) for her work on the show, winning the Emmy in 1973, 1975, and 1976.

Answer: Valerie Harper

"The Mary Tyler Moore Show" ran from 1970-1977 and featured Moore as single career woman Mary Richards who worked at a Minneapolis news station. Valerie Harper portrayed Richards' neighbor and best friend Rhoda Morgenstern. Harper received three consecutive Emmy nominations (1972-1974) for her work on the show, winning the award in 1972 and 1973.

The year that she didn't win the award, it was won by co-star Cloris Leachman who portrayed Phyllis Lindstrom. Leachman also had three consecutive Emmy nominations (1972-1974) for her work on the show.

The other Best Supporting Actress Emmy nods for the show were for Betty White, who portrayed Sue Ann Nivens (nominated 1975-1977, winning in 1975 and 1976) and Georgia Engel, who portrayed Georgette Franklin (nominated in 1976-1977).

Answer: Kristy McNichol

"Family" was a critically-acclaimed drama series that ran from 1976-1980 and dealt with the challenges facing the middle class Lawrence family in Southern California. Kristy McNichol portrayed tomboyish Letitia "Buddy" Lawrence, the youngest of the three Lawrence children. McNichol received three consecutive Emmy nominations (1977-1979) for her work on the show, winning the award in 1977 and 1979. Co-star Meredith Baxter who portrayed Buddy's older sister Nancy on the show received Emmy nominations in 1977 and 1978 but didn't win.

Answer: Marion Ross

The 1950s-era comedy "Happy Days" aired from 1974-1984 and centered around the Cunningham family of Milwaukee and their friends, most notably the eternally cool Fonzie (Henry Winkler). Marion Ross portrayed Marion Cunningham, the mother of the family whom Fonzie fondly called Missus C. Ross received two Emmy nominations for "Happy Days" in 1979 and 1984 but didn't win.

Answer: Sally Struthers

Based on the British show "Till Death Us Do Part", "All in the Family" ran from 1971-1979 and focused on working class Archie Bunker (Carroll O'Connor) and his family, friends, and neighbors. Sally Struthers portrayed Gloria Stivic, the only daughter of the opinionated Bunker and his doting wife Edith (Jean Stapleton). Struthers received five Emmy nominations (1972-1974, 1978-1979) for her work on the show, picking up the award in 1972 and 1979.

Her win in 1972 was a tie with Valerie Harper who won for "The Mary Tyler Moore Show".

Answer: Gail Fisher

The detective series "Mannix" ran from 1967-1975 and featured Mike Connors as ex-POW Joe Mannix who worked as a rough and tumble private detective in Los Angeles. Gail Fisher portrayed Peggy Fair, a police officer's widow who worked as Mannix's devoted secretary. Fisher received four consecutive Emmy nominations (1970-1973), winning the award in 1970.

She was the first African American actress to win an Emmy.

Answer: Loretta Swit

Based on the 1970 film of the same name, the Korean War comedy/drama "M*A*S*H" ran from 1972-1983. On the show, Loretta Swit portrayed stern but caring head nurse, Major Margaret Houlihan (the role had been played by Oscar-nominated Sally Kellerman in the film). Swit was on the show for its entire run, appearing in 243 episodes, second only to Alan Alda who portrayed Captain Benjamin "Hawkeye" Pierce.

She received nine consecutive Emmy nominations (1974-1983) for her work on the show, and won the award in 1980 and 1982.

Answer: Elena Verdugo

The medical drama "Marcus Welby, M.D." ran from 1969-1976 and starred Robert Young as an older physician whose methods were often at odds with his younger partner (James Brolin). Elena Verdugo portrayed Consuelo Lopez, their devoted nurse and office manager, and a character often mentioned as the first professional Latina role on a U.S. Television series. Verdugo received two Emmy nominations in 1971 and 1972 for her work on the show but didn't win.

Answer: Karen Valentine

"Room 222" was a comedy/drama set in a racially-diverse Los Angeles city high school. The series ran from 1969-1974 and starred Lloyd Haynes as history teacher Pete Dixon. Karen Valentine portrayed the bubbly Alice Johnson, who was initially a student teacher being mentored by Dixon but later became a full-time English teacher. Valentine received Emmy nominations in 1970 and 1971 for her work on the show, winning the award in 1970.

Answer: Julie Kavner

A successful spin-off from "The Mary Tyler Moore Show", "Rhoda" followed the adventures of Mary Richards' best friend when she returned to her native New York City. Valerie Harper was the titular star of the show "Rhoda" which ran from 1974-1978, but her Emmy nominations for that show were in the Best Actress category.

In the Best Supporting Actress category, it was Julie Kavner who picked up the Emmy for portraying Rhoda's frumpy sister Brenda Morgenstern. She was nominated in the category four consecutive years (1975-1978) and won the award in 1978. Co-star Nancy Walker who portrayed the girls' mother Ida was also nominated in 1975, 1976, and 1978 but didn't win. Walker was a fixture in the Emmy Best Supporting Actress category in the 1970s; besides her three nominations in the Comedy category, she also had three nominations in the Drama category for her role as the McMillan's housekeeper Mildred in "McMillan & Wife", but she didn't win for that role either.