Connie Hines, Wilbur's Wife on 'Mr. Ed,' Dies at 79

By PopEater Staff Posted Dec 22nd 2009 11:01AM

Connie Hines, the witty actress best known for playing Carol Post, Wilbur's wife on 'Mr. Ed,' died Friday at her home in Beverly Hills. She was 79.

Her death was from complications of heart problems, her on-screen husband Alan Young told the LA Times. "I lost a great friend. She was always joyous."

Between 1961-66, Hines dutifully shared the screen with 'Mr. Ed,' a talking horse that only Wilbur could converse with. Young said Hines was a trooper for sticking with the thankless role.

"She was a girl married to a fellow listening to a horse. Her biggest line was 'lunch is ready'," he said. "The rest of it was reacting to it. Connie never complained. How many actors would react that way?"

'Mr. Ed' continues to build an audience in syndication. Watch a Clip

Before scoring her signature role, Hines appeared in a smattering of TV shows including 'Perry Mason' and 'Coronado 9.' After rapping the 144 episodes of 'Mr. Ed,' Hines worked occasionally throughout the 1960s and 1970s, in hits like 'Bonanza,' 'Love, American Style' and a handful of episodes of 'Hollywood Squares.'

But her on-screen association with animals didn't end with 'Ed.' After retiring in 1989 with her husband Lee Savin, who died in 1995, Hines hosted a cable access show about animals where she interviewed veterinarians and other experts.

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Recent Losses in TV Land

Alaina Reed Hall, Dec. 17: The kind-faced actress best known as Olivia on 'Sesame Street' and who later starred on '227,' died after a lengthy battle with breast cancer, the Springfield News-Sun reported. She was 63.

Everett Collection

Recent Losses in TV

Everett Collection

Gene Barry, Dec. 9: The 'Bat Masterson' and 'Burke's Law' actor died of unspecified causes at the age of 90, according to his son.

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Ken Ober, Nov. 15: The 'Remote Control' host was found dead at his Santa Monica home at the age of 52. Cause of death is unknown.

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Soupy Sales, Oct. 22: The comedian whose real name was Milton Supman built a career on his physical comedy and seemingly rubber face, which was the target of countless pies during his decades as a comedian. He was 83 years old.

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Vic Mizzy, Sept. 17: The songwriter who composed the catchy themes for the 1960s sit-coms 'The Addams Family' and 'Green Acres,' has died at age 93. His manager Jonathan Wolfson said he didn't know the cause of death. Mizzy is survived by a brother, daughter and two grandchildren.

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Henry Gibson, Sept. 14: The actor known for roles in 'Blues Brothers,' 'The Burbs' and 'Laugh-In' died at his home in Malibu after battling cancer. He was 73.

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Harry Towb, July 24: The Irish actor died of cancer in his London home at the age of 83, after more than 60 years on the stage and screen.

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Alexis Cohen, July 25: The ex-'American Idol' hopeful, whose famous rejection meltdown made her a viral sensation in early 2008, was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver in New Jersey. Viewers better know Cohen as Glitter Girl, for her sparkly makeup. The aspiring singer and comedienne was 25.

AP Photo/FOX, Michael Becker, File

Les Lye, July 21: You know him as the foil to all those silly kids on 'You Can't Do That on Television' during the show's heyday. Lye died at age 84. Watch him in his numerous characters here.

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Gidget, July 21: The Chihuahua who became synonymous with Taco Bell thanks to their 'Yo Quiero Taco Bell' ad campaign died at the age of 15.

Taco Bell / AP

Tags: alan Young, AlanYoung, Connie Hines, ConnieHines, mr. ed, Mr.Ed

Comments

(26)

Tuesday 22 December

By Paul

Vote down Vote up Report this

Just goes to show you TV......a hottie like Carol marrying a doofus like Wilbur!!! HAH.....I'd believe that horses can talk before I believe that match. RIP and thanks for the memories Connie.

By gullyox

Yes she was so cute in those sweaters, I laughed so loud when I was kid watching Mr. Ed. he was hilaraious. Rest in Peace Carol I am sure if there is a heaven Ed will be up there.

By JOEY THE GENT

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

CLASS KNOWS NO BOUNDS ==R I P DEAR ONE

By Dorothy

When watching that show as a kid it never occurred to me that it might not be the happiest marriage if you are a very attractive woman but your husband seems to vastly prefer spending his time with his horse! Of course I would have spent all my time with the horse too because I love animals, and would love to have conversations with them that way!

Wednesday 23 December

By Average White Boy

Gee, I thought they were talking about the horse had died. I don't even remember that woman being on that show.

Tuesday 14 June

By NICK ''X''.

I MET MISS HINES, BACK IN THE EALRY 60'S, WHEN HER SON AND I

ATTENDED ARMY & NAVY ACADEMY IN CARLSBAD CALIFORNIA. A VERY

LOVELY LADY. REMEMBERING IT WAS ONE OF MY FAVORITE TV SHOWS,

AT THE TIME,AS A TEENAGER IN SO.CAL.

NICK ''X''.

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