Marilyn Borden

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Marilyn Borden

Born	Marilyn Reeva Borden May 29, 1932 (1932-05-29) (age 76) Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.A
Spouse(s)	Herman "Ted" Thiel (1968-2007; his death)

Marilyn Borden (born May 29, 1932) is an American actress and singer, and along with her sister, Rosalyn Borden, were known as The Borden Twins. The duo are perhaps best known for their appearance on on I Love Lucy playing "Teensy and Weensy" in the episode entitled Tennessee Bound. Though never anything other than supporting players, the duo have performed in several venues, including gigs on the nightclub circuit, as well as larger events including Rose Bowl. The twins also performed at countless USO shows at home and overseas. and have worked with many famous entertainer including: Lucille Ball, Dean Martin, and Jerry Lewis, Andy Williams, Sammy Davis, Jr., Jimmy Durante, Bea Arthur, and Bob Newhart.

1 Biography
2 Trivia
3 Television
4 External links

[edit] Biography

[edit] Early life

Marilyn and Rosalyn Borden were born in Hartford, Connecticut on May 29, 1932 to Harry (1906-1973) and Elizabeth Borden (1909-1995) and would be followed by a younger sister, Barbara, in 1945. Shortly after the birth of Barbara, Harry left the family.

The Borden Twins got into acting with the encouragement of their parents and as children worked with such famous actors including Bill Robinson. At age four, they performed on a local radio show with Ed Begley in their hometown of Hartford. As teenagers, their family moved to Los Angeles. In high school, they started doing network television. In 1951, they caught the eye of Gene Kelly who wanted to get them a part in Singin' in the Rain. They can only be seen as extras in large crowd scenes.

[edit] Career

The Twins would appear on several television shows including The Spike Jones Show and became regular performers on The Jimmy Durante Show. The twins soon began their association with Jimmy Durante that would span seven years, appearing on many of his TV shows and travelling in his nightclub act. Between their work with Durante, the twins played local nightclubs and travelled with the U.S.O. entertaining servicemen in Korea, Japan, and the Philippines.

[edit] Television

Marilyn and Roz on the set with Lucille Ball prior to their episode being filmed.

While appearing on an episode of The Ed Wynn Show the twins caught the attention of Lucille Ball, who promised them she would find a part for them on I Love Lucy. True to her word, Ball featured the twins in episode 112 entitled "Tennessee Bound" in which they played the sheriff's daughter's 'Teensy' and Weensy,' opposite Tennessee Ernie Ford.

The twins continued work on television and appeared on CHiPs, Maude, and The Ropers. In The 1970s and 1980s the twins worked on the [[San Francisco, California}San Francisco]] based morning show A.M. San Francisco as fitness experts. Also in the 1980s they began work with Bob Newhart in his stage show in Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe.

Roz and Marilyn were last seen together on television on the 1998 "All-Star Tribute to Aaron Spelling."

They would continue to appear at Lucy conventions in California and Jamestown, New York, but they had gotten into the Travel business and booked cruise tours on which they would perform.

[edit] Roz's death

Roz had been ill for several years, and the twins moved from the San Francisco Bay area to Modesto, California. On May 29, 2002, the twins celebrated their 70th birthday, but Roz's health soon declined and she died of liver failure on January 23, 2003 at the age of 70.. After her sister's death, Marilyn became a volunteer for the local community hospice, a position she retained for the next four years. That May, Marilyn made her first trip without Roz to Jamestown for the annual "Loving Lucy Festival." She would return again in 2005.

Marilyn Borden at the 2005 Lucy convention with headliner Barbara Eden.

[edit] Later years

After Roz's death, Marilyn has started a solo career. She appeared in the Modesto Area Senior Spotlight Show, and in October 2006, Marilyn gave a concert from her home in Modesto, alongside her younger sister, San Francisco area musician Barbara Borden.

In March 2007 she put together a show called "The Senior Divas," and performs along with Jazz singer Miss Delta, and newcomer Shirley Hausner. Their first show on March 24, 2007 was to a sell out audience and the group hopes to tour with on a local basis.

Marilyn Borden reunited in concert with Bob Newhart May 18, 2007

On May 18, 2007, Marilyn was re-united with her old boss Bob Newhart when she opened for him at his show in Turlock, California.

Marilyn was married to Herman "Ted" Thiel from March 2, 1968 until his death on December 4, 2007. The couple had no children.

[edit] Trivia

1999 Kinkos Copy Ad Featuring Marilyn and Roz

Many Lucy fans do not know that Marilyn and Roz were told to sing off-key when performing the song "Ricochet".
Though the twins were asked to perform Ricochet for countless audiences over the years, Marilyn's signature song is actually "Won't You Come Home Bill Bailey".
Their favorite star to work with was Bob Newhart, their least favorite was Jimmy Durante.
Roles usually had to be made around them, their weight being the joke. Lucille Ball specifically had their role on I Love Lucy tailor made for them.
Their friendship with Rue McClanahan got them a part on Maude.
Bob Newhart wanted them for a role on his series Newhart, but it never panned out.
Traveled on a USO tour with Ruta Lee, and they became lifelong friends.
Traveled on a USO tour with Charles "Buddy" Rogers, the husband of silent movie star Mary Pickford, and on return the duo were asked to dinner at Pickfair. It was an experience Marilyn would forever cherish.
Marilyn and Roz gained fame in the way of advertising, in the 1990s the twins were used in an add for Kinkos with the caption reading "Copy Yourself"
With the death of Aaron Spelling in 2006, Marilyn is the last remaining cast member of episode 112 of I Love Lucy.