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Inga Swenson

Actress

Trivia:

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 (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. See more trivia »

Born:

in Omaha, Nebraska, USA
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Melanie Molnar - Reel

David H. Lawrence, XVII - Drama -- On-camera drama reel featuring David H. Lawrence XVII, in scenes from Heroes, The Unit, LOST, and more

David H. Lawrence, XVII - Drama

Franklin Ojeda Smith - -- "...back in the day the 'barb wire' was more visible" and early on I chose baseball over acting; then academia and not baseball. Now,"...the kids are grown, the dog is dead and now that I may, I choose acting." Please take a look: 1)Boardwalk Empire - Deacon Cuffy 2)Murder Incorporated - Sam Christenson 3)Cayman Went - Aniston Turnkey 4)Letting Go -Therapist 5)Footsteps in the Sand - Jim. Thank You! Franklin

Franklin Ojeda Smith -

Christopher Mann's Theatrical Demo Reel -- This reel contains Christopher performing in Film and Television. The clips included are from the following: "The Boundary", "The Wire", "Duplicity", "Law & Order(SVU)", "Michael Clayton", "Cost Of A Soul", "HEROES" and "Law & Order (CI)".

Christopher Mann's Theatrical Demo Reel

My Demo Reel -- Includes clips from GLORY DAZE, COMMUNITY and horror film URBAN EXPLORER.

My Demo Reel


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Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 3 nominations See more awards »

Known For


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Filmography

Hide HideActress (43 titles)
1997-1998 Life with Louie (TV series)
– Project: Mother's Day (1998) (voice)
– Family Portrait (1997) (voice)
 
1989 Doctor Doctor (TV series)
Connie Stratford
– Pediatricks (1989) … Connie Stratford
– Patients Are a Virtue (1989) … Connie Stratford
– The Search for Armand Peltzer (1989) … Connie Stratford (credit only)
 
1989 The Golden Girls (TV series)
Holly
– Little Sister (1989) … Holly
 
1989 Newhart (TV series)
Madelaine Stone
– George and the Old Maid (1989) … Madelaine Stone
 
1988 Hotel (TV series)
Sonya Green
– Till Death Do Us Part (1988) … Sonya Green
 
1987 Bay Coven (TV movie)
Matty Kline
 
1987 Nutcracker: Money, Madness & Murder (TV mini-series)
Marilyn
 
1986 North and South, Book II (TV mini-series)
Maude Hazard
– Episode #1.6 (1986) … Maude Hazard
– Episode #1.5 (1986) … Maude Hazard
– Episode #1.4 (1986) … Maude Hazard
– Episode #1.3 (1986) … Maude Hazard
– Episode #1.2 (1986) … Maude Hazard
See all 6 episodes »
 
1979-1986 Benson (TV series)
Miss Gretchen Wilomena Kraus / Gretchen Kraus
– And the Winner Is... (1986) … Miss Gretchen Wilomena Kraus
– Friends and Enemies (1986) … Miss Gretchen Wilomena Kraus
– Three on a Mismatch (1986) … Miss Gretchen Wilomena Kraus
– Hi, Society (1986) … Miss Gretchen Wilomena Kraus
– Pardon Me (1986) … Miss Gretchen Wilomena Kraus
See all 159 episodes »
 
1985 North and South (TV mini-series)
Maude Hazard
– Episode #1.6 (1985) … Maude Hazard
– Episode #1.5 (1985) … Maude Hazard
– Episode #1.4 (1985) … Maude Hazard
– Episode #1.3 (1985) … Maude Hazard
– Episode #1.2 (1985) … Maude Hazard (credit only)
See all 6 episodes »
 
1980 The Mountain Men
White SInger at the Mountain Men Gathering. (uncredited)
 
1979 ABC Afterschool Specials (TV series)
Mrs. Marston
– The Terrible Secret (1979) … Mrs. Marston
 
1978-1979 Soap (TV series)
Ingrid Swenson / Ingrid Swenson (in credits Svenson) / Ingrid Svenson
– Episode #2.18 (1979) … Ingrid Svenson
– Episode #1.24 (1978) … Ingrid Swenson (in credits Svenson)
– Episode #1.23 (1978) … Ingrid Swenson (in credits Svenson)
– Episode #1.19 (1978) … Ingrid Swenson
– Episode #1.18 (1978) … Ingrid Swenson
See all 8 episodes »
 
1979 Highcliffe Manor (TV series)
– Sex & Violence (1979)
 
1978 Vega$ (TV series)
The Producer
– The Pageant (1978) … The Producer
 
1976-1978 Barnaby Jones (TV series)
Ann Hobson / Marie Barrett
– Hitch-Hike to Terror (1978) … Marie Barrett
– The Lonely Victims (1976) … Ann Hobson
 
1978 Ziegfeld: The Man and His Women (TV movie)
Nora Bayes
 
1978 The Betsy
Mrs. Craddock
 
1977 Testimony of Two Men (TV mini-series)
Amelia Foster
 
1977 ABC Weekend Specials (TV series)
Esther Trimble
– My Dear Uncle Sherlock (1977) … Esther Trimble
 
1976 Lipstick
Sister Monica
 
1976 Sara (TV series)
– Sod House Woman (1976)
 
1975 The Rookies (TV series)
Barbara Paige
– Eye for an Eye (1975) … Barbara Paige
 
1973 Griff (TV series)
Katherine McAfee
– Isolate and Destroy (1973) … Katherine McAfee
 
1973 Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law (TV series)
Kirsten
– Sweet Harvest (1973) … Kirsten
 
1971 Earth II (TV movie)
Ilyana Kovalefskii
 
1970-1971 Medical Center (TV series)
Mrs. Amons / Nina Hoagley
– Secret Heritage (1971) … Mrs. Amons
– The Deceived (1970) … Nina Hoagley
 
1970 NET Playhouse (TV series)
Secretary (segment "The Tape Recorder")
– The Sand Castle/The Tape Recorder (1970) … Secretary (segment "The Tape Recorder")
 
1970 New York Television Theatre (TV series)
Secretary
– The Tape Recorder (1970) … Secretary
 
1968 CBS Playhouse (TV series)
Kate
– My Father and My Mother (1968) … Kate
 
1967 Androcles and the Lion (TV movie)
Lavinia
 
1962-1963 Bonanza (TV series)
Inger Borgstrom / Inger Borgstrom Cartwright
– Journey Remembered (1963) … Inger Borgstrom Cartwright
– Inger, My Love (1962) … Inger Borgstrom
 
1963 The Doctors and the Nurses (TV series)
Sandra Leonard
– Party Girl (1963) … Sandra Leonard
 
1962 Dr. Kildare (TV series)
Paula Waller
– Breakdown (1962) … Paula Waller
 
1962 Advise & Consent
Ellen Anderson
 
1962 The Miracle Worker
Kate Keller
 
1962 The Defenders (TV series)
Claire Stafford
– The Locked Room (1962) … Claire Stafford
 
1961 Victoria Regina (TV movie)
Lady Jane
 
1960 Play of the Week (TV series)
– Highlights of New Faces (1960)
 
1959 The DuPont Show of the Month (TV series)
Rose
– Oliver Twist (1959) … Rose
 
1958-1959 Playhouse 90 (TV series)
Maria / Milly Theale
– The Wings of the Dove (1959) … Milly Theale
– Heart of Darkness (1958) … Maria
 
1954-1958 The United States Steel Hour (TV series)
Vera Steuben
– Goodbye... But It Doesn't Go Away (1958) … Vera Steuben
– Goodbye... But It Doesn't Go Away (1954)
 
1957 Goodyear Playhouse (TV series)
– The Best Wine (1957)
 
Show ShowSelf (7 titles)
2013 Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age (documentary) (post-production)
Herself
 
1985 The 37th Annual Emmy Awards (TV special)
Herself - Nominee: Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series & Presenter: Creative Arts Awards
 
1985 Night of 100 Stars II (TV movie)
Herself
 
1982 The 34th Annual Emmy Awards (TV special)
Herself - Nominee: Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Variety or Music Series & Presenter: Best Directing/Writing in a Comedy Series
 
1979-1982 Family Feud (TV series)
Herself
– Heroes vs. Villains 2 (1982) … Herself
– Heroes vs. Villains 3 (1982) … Herself
– One Day at a Time vs. Benson (1979) … Herself
 
1965 Password All-Stars (TV series)
Herself - Celebrity Contestant
– Episode dated 18 March 1965 (1965) … Herself - Celebrity Contestant
 
1964 The Jack Paar Program (TV series)
Herself
– Episode #3.12 (1964) … Herself
 
Show ShowArchive Footage (2 titles)
2005 Great Performances (TV series)
 
1976 America at the Movies (documentary)
Kate Keller (uncredited)
 
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Personal Details

Other Works:

(1956). Stage Play: New Faces of 1956. Musical comedy/revue. "Stars in the Rough," "Steady Edna," "Darts" sketches by Paul Lynde. "The Broken Kimona" sketch by Richard Maury. "A Canful of Trash" sketch by Louis Botto. "Madame Interpreter" sketch... See more »

Publicity Listings:

1 Article  | See more »

Height:

5' 9½" (1.77 m)
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Did You Know?

Trivia:

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 (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. See more »

Star Sign:

Capricorn