Joyce Randolph, Trixie from The Honeymooners, Dies at 99
New York – Joyce Randolph, a veteran stage and television actress known for her role as Trixie Norton on The Honeymooners, has passed away at the age of 99. Randolph died of natural causes at her home in Manhattan. She was the last surviving main character from the beloved 1950s comedy.
A Beloved Comedy from Television’s Golden Age
The Honeymooners, based on star Jackie Gleason’s childhood, was an affectionate portrayal of Brooklyn tenement life. Gleason played the blustering bus driver Ralph Kramden, while Audrey Meadows portrayed his wisecracking wife Alice, and Art Carney played the cheerful sewer worker Ed Norton. Trixie and Alice often found themselves commiserating over their husbands’ various follies and mishaps.
Randolph, in an interview with the Television Academy Foundation, recalled a few favorite episodes, including one where Ed is sleepwalking and calls out for his wife Thelma, not knowing her real name.
A Timeless Favorite
The Honeymooners started as a recurring skit on Gleason’s variety show, Cavalcade of Stars, in 1950. It gained popularity when it became a full-fledged series for one season in 1955-56. The 39 episodes became syndicated programming and continued to be loved by audiences for years to come.
A Lasting Impact
Despite her success on The Honeymooners, Randolph received no compensation in residuals for the 39 episodes. However, she began receiving royalties with the discovery of “lost” episodes from the variety hours. After leaving the show, Randolph chose to focus on marriage and motherhood. She remained a beloved figure, receiving numerous letters and regularly visiting Sardi’s, where she would enjoy her favorite drink, the White Cadillac, and chat with patrons who recognized her from a portrait of the sitcom’s characters.
It wasn’t until the early 1980s that Randolph realized the impact The Honeymooners had on viewers. Her son, while in college, told her that people would ask him if she was really Trixie. Despite being typecast as Trixie, Randolph had a successful career on Broadway and appeared on various TV shows alongside stars like Eddie Cantor, Dean Martin, and Jerry Lewis.
A Life Well-Lived
Randolph, born Joyce Sirola in Detroit in 1924, had a passion for the arts from a young age. She performed in Broadway shows before transitioning to television. In her retirement, she continued to support the arts, attending Broadway openings and fundraisers. She was also active with the U.S.O. and frequented her favorite Manhattan haunts.
Joyce Randolph’s husband, Richard Lincoln, served as president at the Lambs Club, a theatrical club, and she was known as the “first lady.” They had one son, Charles.