Eve at Work

In the mid-1960s, Eve Arden was back at home in her native California after a family vacation in Rome and London that lasted more than a year. She was ready to get into the swing of being a working actress again, seeing what opportunities were out there in stage, film, and television. In March 1966, that included a guest appearance on NBC's Run for Your Life, which starred Ben Gazzara as a lawyer who goes on the road to experience life to the fullest after being told he's terminally ill.  

Eve on Run Your Life, with Ben Gazzara (center) and Bobby Darin.

Eve was cast as a character the Los Angeles Times' Charles Champlin described as "a gay mother, living it up on the Riviera, complete with Frug-Watusi session," with actress Davey Davison as her shy daughter. Also appearing in the episode was actor-singer Bobby Darin, with whom Eve shared a lively dance sequence. The role was a bit out of the ordinary for Eve, and that's what she liked about it. "It's terrible to be thought of as just a type. I'd rather play a well-developed role -- a mother, not just Joan Crawford's best friend."

Soon, a more prominent television role would come her way, when old friend Desi Arnaz approached her about coming back in a weekly series. The result was her two-year run opposite Kaye Ballard in The Mothers-in-Law. In her late fifties, Eve was still in demand, as she would be for years to come. For more on a career that lasted nearly a lifetime, check out Eve Arden: A Chronicle of All Film, Television, Radio and Stage Performances.