Who are the top ten TV actresses of all time? That's a hefty question, and it's one that comes without a lot of boundaries. Are we talking any woman who has appeared on TV and then gone on to do great things? Are we talking about women who have had roles that have strongly impacted or mirrored our culture and times? Or are we talking about actresses who have simply had long, successful careers that have spanned decades on the small screen? It's hard to know how to answer the question without knowing the intent. Therefore, for me, I'm going to answer the question by choosing women who have had a strong impact on television, actresses who when you say their name, you think television. This will eliminate some otherwise strong contenders who you might otherwise see on the list. That said, there may be one or two surprises on my list, actresses with strong careers outside of television. After all, any list is bound to have some subjectivity to it.
Here are ten women who have brought their special magic to television:
10) Imogene Coca
Many people today probably are asking, "Who?" This pioneer of television was one of the first woman to appear on TV, and she made early comedy a success, especially with her appearances on the show of her own name, Your Show of Shows, The Sid Caesar Show, and Grindl. People today also still recall her cave-woman appearances in It's About Time.
9) Shirley Booth
Shirley was highly successful in films, and then she came to television as the affable Hazel. She won our hearts and made an impact for an era. It's for Hazel that Booth is most remembered now, and the show is highly sought after on DVD.
8) Doris Day
Doris is probably one of the exceptions to the criteria for my list. She was a box office giant in her hey day in movies, but her career ended with her years on television. What makes The Doris Day Show unique is that Doris changed the premise of her show several times over the years it was on, and the fans kept watching. In fact, the show ended because she was ready to retire, not because the network didn't want her. In year one, Doris played a widow with two children, living on a farm. In the last year, she was a city gal, a hip and on the go magazine writer and woman. Doris made her show relevant to the TV era of the day, and that makes her a TV giant.
7) Barbara Stanwyck
Stanwyck is another of my exceptions. She had a great career in movies, but like Doris Day, she spent the last several years doing notable television. She was a senior citizen who was strong, vivacious, exciting, and certainly an attention grabber. Her role as Victoria Barkley on The Big Valley was dynamic and unique. She controlled three young, strong studs who played her sons, and she pulled it off with ease. Then there was The Colbys. She was much older for that series, but she could still play a powerhouse, financially and romantically, and demanded our attention. To top that off, she caused quite a stir in The Thornbirds, one of the greatest TV mini-series ever made.
6) Stephanie Powers
Stephanie makes the list because she initiated two very powerful parts for women on TV. First, she played a secret agent on The Girl from U.N.C.L.E. This had her right up there with the big boys, doing the same kind of gutsy moves to save the world as Robert Vaughn. Years and other shows later, she followed that up with Hart to Hart. She was rich and sexy, but still could hang in there with the guys. It was a bit of a landmark role. Between the two, Stephanie's earned her place in TV lore.
5) Stars of Today
This is my catch-all place, a spot reserved for a woman from today who is in the process of making her mark and yet it's too early to tell which one will make it. Ellen DeGeneres, Kyra Sedgwick, Amanda Tapping, Christina Applegate, and others are among those who might someday have a body of work that entitles them to be in this place. This isn't a cop out slot. It's an acknowledgment that some of today's leading actresses have the potential to be among the best of all time.
4) Patty Duke
Though Patty has only starred in one television series, back in the 60s when she was a teenager (The Patty Duke Show), she has continued to star in a number of acclaimed made-for-TV movies. She's done several films for Hallmark in the process. Notable TV movies include the remake of The Miracle Worker where she played Annie Sullivan and the ground-breaking My Sweet Charlie. Sometimes controversial, but always professional, Patty is an awesome actress and is known for giving a hundred percent in all that she does.
3) Elizabeth Montgomery
She turned comedy into sophisticated drama. Elizabeth was a class actress, and she wasn't afraid of playing what could have been nothing more than a silly character. She let Samantha Stevens grow, and she never mocked the character or her place on TV. After Bewitched, she went on to do a number of wonderful TV movies, adding to her TV acclaim.
2) Carol Burnett
Her comedic talent is unquestionable, but it's how she did her show that made it such a success. Carol surrounded herself with incredible talent on her TV show, and she wasn't afraid of being upstaged or making a mistake. As professional as Carol is, she let the goofs and funny moments be what they were, and that made her long-lasting TV show memorable over the long haul. She created landmark characters, like her cleaning woman and Eunice Higgens that have gone beyond the variety show that gave them birth. In addition, Carol broke ground by being one of the first big name performers to appear on a soap opera (All My Children). She's done so much that it's basically impossible to talk about all of it here.
1) Mary Tyler Moore
We loved her first as Laura Petrie, the epitome of femininity, only independent and a force to be reckoned with on The Dick Van Dyke Show. Her intelligence and 'Oh, Rob's' captivated us. Then she turned the world on with her smile as Mary Richards on the show that bore her own name. It was a role of a strong, independent women who was also feminine. Her prolonged 'Mr. Grant's' and sensitivity again captivated us. Mary Tyler Moore's impact on television will be remembered and felt forever.
I'm sure some will take issue with my top ten. They may wonder why some respectable name actresses haven't made my list, such as Sally Field. Sally isn't on the list because she has consistently bad-mouthed her early TV series. Talented as she is, I can't give her a slot on my personal list when she can't even appreciate the impact and place those early shows had on her career. In addition, it's just hard to pick ten out of hundreds of acclaimed women. Still, I believe those listed above have a firm place in TV history and in our hearts.