- Is perhaps best-known to a later generation in the atypical role of tart-tongued, German-accented executive housekeeper Gretchen Kraus on the popular 1980s TV series Benson (1979) (ABC: 1979-1986). The thick accent required of the character led many fans at the time to mistakenly believe Swenson was actually German, when in real life she speaks perfect English.
- Is retired from acting and living in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California (June 2000).
- Is a lyric soprano.
- After training at Northwestern's famed Drama Department, Swenson made a splash on Broadway in "The First Gentleman" (1959), earning strong reviews and being lured to Hollywood, where she had strong featured roles in Advise & Consent (1962) and The Miracle Worker (1962). She later returned to Broadway, where she earned Tony nominations as Best Actress in a Musical for her work in "110 In The Shade" (1964) and "Baker Street" (1965).
- Played Ben Cartwright's second wife, Inger in two episodes on Bonanza in 1962 and 1963. Her character is also the mother of Hoss Cartwright.
- Son James Harris died in a motorcycle crash at age 26 in 1987, leaving behind his daughter Lily Harris. Son Mark Harris is a film editor.
- Of Scandinavian descent.
- Graduated from Omaha Central High School of Omaha Nebraska in 1950.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content