5 Things You Never Knew About Lee Meriwether
Lee Meriwether turns 90 on May 27, 2025, and for many of us, she’ll always be the poised Betty Jones on Barnaby Jones, Andy Griffith’s wife in the short-lived The New Andy Griffith Show or the sultry Catwoman in 1966’s Batman: The Movie. She’s also known as Miss America, and was crowned all the way back in 1954 during the first live television broadcast.
Even in her later years, Meriwether remained active in front of the camera and on the stage. She made guest appearances on popular shows like Desperate Housewives, Hawaii Five-O, The League and Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23.
She also returned to the role of Miss Hastings in The Ultimate Life, a follow-up to The Ultimate Gift, directed by Michael Landon Jr. Beyond acting, she stayed close to her fans by appearing at Comic Cons, where she fondly recalled her time on Batman, Star Trek and The Time Tunnel. In honor of her birthday, here are a few fascinating facts you might not know about this timeless star:
1 She was the first Miss America to cry on live TV
Tom Caffrey/Everett Collection
In 1954, at just 19 years old, she was crowned Miss America, becoming the first winner during the pageant’s inaugural live television broadcast says the Los Angeles Times. Her emotional response, including tears of joy, touched viewers across the country. It’s often cited as one of the most heartfelt moments in the pageant’s long history and helped to launch her successful acting career.
2 She only played Catwoman in the Batman movie, not the series
20th Century Fox Film Corp./Everett Collection
While many fans still associate her with the role of Catwoman, Meriwether never actually wore the claws in the original Batman TV series. Julie Newmar and Eartha Kitt handled that role on television, but when it came time for Batman: The Movie in 1966, Meriwether stepped in and made the role her own. Interestingly, she later guest-starred in two episodes of the Batman series, but as a completely different character. Despite only playing Catwoman once, she became part of the iconic trio of actresses known for bringing the character to life during the 1960s.
3 Buddy Ebsen was her mentor and dear friend
Everett Collection
Her most famous role as Betty Jones on Barnaby Jones came with the added bonus of working alongside Buddy Ebsen, who played the title character. Offscreen, their connection ran deep; Ebsen was not only a co-star but also a trusted mentor throughout her acting career.
Their bond remained strong long after the series ended. In fact, after attending Ebsen’s memorial service in 2003, Meriwether made a subtle yet meaningful change: she stopped dyeing her hair brown and began embracing her natural silver as a quiet tribute to him.
4 Lee Meriwether as Lily Munster?
MCA TV/Everett Collection
Meriwether played matriarch Lily Munster in the 1988 revival of the beloved 1960s Munsters series, The Munsters Today, alongside John Schuck, who played Herman Munster. While the show has mixed reviews with diehard Munster fans, it oddly enough lasted longer than the original series.
5 She has a historic family connection
Gabriel Olsen/Getty Images
With a name like Meriwether, it’s no surprise she has some historical roots. She is reportedly related to Meriwether Lewis, the famed explorer and namesake of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, according to IMDb.
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TV Villains
Volume 1, Issue 8
TV villains usually drive the plot, are the center of attention, can say and do anything and often have more charisma than the good guys. This issue is packed with puzzles, games and trivia all centered around your favorite TV villains.
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