The Only Actors Still Alive From The Cast Of Maude
Sometimes a spin-off can enjoy as much success as the television show that spawned it. That was certainly the case in 1972 when CBS first aired "Maude." This hit show's title character, Maude Findlay, played by the late Bea Arthur, made her first appearance on an episode of the classic TV show "All in the Family," Maude was introduced as Edith Bunker's cousin, appearing in two episodes of the show, the second one used as a device to launch an unofficial pilot for the spin-off — just one of several spawned from the original series. Specifically, Variety wrote that "All in the Family" spun off a total of seven sitcoms, but that "Maude" was the first.
As 50 years have now passed since it first aired in 1972, time has taken many of the main characters and minor players on the show. But you might be surprised to know that there are still some characters from "Maude" whose actors are still around today. Who are they, and what have they been doing since "Maude" signed off the air in 1978?
Adrienne Barbeau
The role of Maude's daughter Carol Traynor was played by actress Adrienne Barbeau. The part earned her a 1977 Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress on a Television Show (via IMDb). It was her first foray onto the screen but helped her land other television roles on such shows as "Eight is Enough" and "Love Boat" while she was still enjoying a great deal of work on the set of "Maude."
Barbeau was able to catapult into larger roles due to her work on "Maude." Following her 125 episodes of the series, she went on to star in many films, becoming a popular horror and sci-fi actress. With movie credits throughout the 1980s that included "Swamp Thing," "Creepshow," and "Terror at London Bridge," Barbeau began to segue into more television work in the 1990s. She worked on "Dream On" and "Flipper" on the small screen, but also began to really take off as a voice actor. Cast as Catwoman in several incarnations of Batman cartoons, she also appeared in several other children's animated programs, including "Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island."
Barbeau remained active in the new millennium with regular roles that included HBO's "Carnivale" and a stint on the ABC soap "General Hospital." IMDb tells us that Barbeau still has several projects in production currently, including the upcoming horror film "Pitchfork" that's due for release later in 2022.
Brian Morrison
Brian Morrison was cast in the role of Phillip Traynor, Carol Traynor's son. Though only 11 when "Maude" began filming, Morrison brought quite the resume to the CBS show. He had appeared in "Mayberry R.F.D." and "Gunsmoke," and later appeared in "The Magical World of Disney" and the film "Airport 1975" during his time on "Maude."
"Maude" was the last time Morrison appeared on camera, however. He left the show after Season 5 and was replaced by Kraig Metzinger, who played the role of Phillip for the 6th and final season (per IMDb). Morrison resurfaced in Hollywood in 1984, but as someone who worked off-camera. Beginning with "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom," Morrison worked as a special effects technician. Throughout the remainder of the 1980s and into the 1990s, he worked as a tech or special effects design engineer on many recognizable films, including "Return to Oz," "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" and "Judge Dredd."
The 2000s brought Morrison more widespread acclaim as he graduated into the job of special effects supervising engineer on four of the ever-popular Harry Potter films, as well as the Tim Burton film "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory."
Marlene Warfield
Throughout the series, Maude Findlay had a series of three different housekeepers. Her most notable one was her first, a witty African American woman named Florida Evans. The character of Florida was so popular that at the end of the second season, the actress that portrayed her was cast into a spinoff of "Maude" titled "Good Times," which experienced much success throughout its popular run in the remainder of the 1970s.
Maude's third and final housekeeper was played by Marlene Warfield. Warfield portrayed an East Indian woman named Victoria Butterfield, whom Maude met after accusing her of stealing her wallet on the subway. The character only appeared in eight episodes of "Maude."
Following the end of "Maude," Warfield stayed fairly active in television. Per IMDb, she had parts on "The Jeffersons," "Freddy's Nightmares," and "Cagney and Lacey" in the 1980s. Over the next 20 years, Warfield appeared in "The Shield," "The West Wing," and many other television shows. Warfield also achieved success on stage, notably for her performance in "A Raisin in the Sun" (via The Denver Post).
Fred Grandy
Though Fred Grandy only appeared on seven episodes of "Maude," his ability on-screen shined through and led to a multitude of roles in what has become a lucrative career for the actor. According to IMDb, Grandy has racked up an impressive number of television show appearances throughout the 1970s, which included "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," "Quincy," and "Welcome Back, Kotter."
Grandy's biggest achievement on the small screen was the role of Gopher in the long-running television series "The Love Boat." During this show's decade on the air, Grandy appeared in nearly 250 episodes. Grandy, an Iowa native, launched a political career shortly after "The Love Boat" ended its run in 1986. He successfully ran for four terms in the United States House of Representatives, representing Iowa's 5th and 6th districts from 1987 until 1995 (via The United States Congress).
After serving his fourth and final term, Grandy eased back into acting. He's appeared in episodes of "Law and Order," "The Mindy Project," and "Knight Squad." His most recent credit was a part in the TV series "Roar."
John Amos
Veteran actor John Amos appeared in three episodes of "Maude" in the second season of the show. Amos was cast as Henry, the husband of Maude's first housekeeper, Florida Evans, played by Esther Rolle. Like Rolle, Amos achieved great success in the "Maude" spinoff, "Good Times." Amos appeared on this show from 1974 until 1976 (per IMDb).
In what could arguably be the most successful of all the "Maude" players that are still living, Amos has amassed well over 100 acting credits and is still going strong. Movie and television watchers from several generations recognize Amos for pivotal roles, whether in the critically acclaimed mini-series "Roots" as an older Kunta Kinte, or as the quirky restaurateur Cleo McDowell in the hilarious Eddie Murphy movie "Coming to America."
Amos has had supporting or recurring roles in numerous television shows over the years, including " The Mary Tyler Moore Show," "Hunter," In the House," and "The West Wing." He has roles in several films slated to be released later in 2022, showing that Amos still has a lot left to give us in the world of entertainment.