Joyce Randolph, the celebrated actress best known for her role as Trixie Norton in the iconic 1950s sitcom “The Honeymooners,” died at her residence on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, New York, on January 13, 2024. She was 99 years old.
Her death was confirmed by her son, Randolph Charles, to be from natural causes.
Randolph’s contribution to American television is significant, having played a key role in a sitcom that shaped the depiction of the working class in the United States.
Born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1924, Randolph’s path to fame started in local theater. She relocated to New York City to further her acting career and made her Broadway debut with the comedy “Ladies Night in a Turkish Bath” in 1950. Her performance caught the attention of Jackie Gleason during a commercial for Clorets. Gleason then cast her in his variety show on the DuMont network, “Cavalcade of Stars,” which premiered in 1951 and featured the first sketches of what would later become “The Honeymooners.”
She continued to play Trixie on CBS’ “The Jackie Gleason Show” and later on “The Honeymooners,” when it became a standalone sitcom in 1955-56. This season, filmed in front of a live audience, produced the “classic 39” episodes often seen in syndication.
Despite Trixie’s character often having fewer lines than her co-stars, Randolph’s portrayal of Trixie was well-received by audiences. In a 2002 interview with Larry King, she expressed her fondness for episodes where she had more lines, especially a sleepwalking episode. In a 2012 interview with The New York Times, she explained that the cast was instructed to learn their lines and perform without much guidance on characterization.
“The Honeymooners” humorously portrayed the lives of two New York City couples residing in a Bensonhurst, Brooklyn apartment complex. The sitcom revolved around bus driver Ralph Kramden, played by Jackie Gleason, and sewer worker Ed Norton, played by Art Carney. Ralph’s practical wife Alice was played by Audrey Meadows, and Randolph’s Trixie was the understanding wife of Norton. The wives often served as the voice of reason in the couples’ daily trials and dreams of becoming wealthy.
Following “The Honeymooners,” Randolph played various roles but remained strongly linked to her character, Trixie. She returned to the role in the 1991-92 ABC sitcom “Hi Honey, I’m Home.” In 2017, she attended the premiere of “The Honeymooners: The Musical” at the Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey.
In her personal life, Randolph married marketing executive Richard Charles in 1955. The couple stayed together until he died in 1997 at the age of 74.
The impact of “The Honeymooners” and Randolph’s role in the sitcom continues to resonate in American society. Despite its brief original run, the sitcom became a cornerstone in television history through syndication. Randolph’s Trixie, along with the three other main characters, humorously represented American life in the 1950s and 60s.
Randolph’s Trixie Norton character in “The Honeymooners” offered a blend of charm and humor. Her on-screen chemistry with Art Carney’s Ed Norton produced memorable moments. The sitcom’s depiction of common problems and aspirations struck a chord with viewers, earning it a cherished place in classic television.
Throughout her career, Randolph experienced the challenges common to actors known primarily for one character. Despite this, she remained active in theater and made occasional television appearances, staying connected to her acting origins through summer stock productions and commercials.
With Randolph’s passing, the era of “The Honeymooners” draws to a close as she was the last surviving member of the original cast.