Audrey Meadows on how she got the role of Alice Kramden
The Honeymooners made actress Audrey Meadows a very rich woman. Prior to the hit series, which premiered in 1955, Meadows didn't have a big acting resume. She starred in a few stage productions, gained popularity in radio, appeared in several 1940s films, and was a guest on a few TV series. However, nothing was as notable as her role on The Honeymooners.
Meadows took home around $1,000 per episode, and with around 39 episodes, that was a lot of money for a small star. According to a 1955 interview with The Buffalo News, Meadows said she didn't care as much about the money as she did about learning to be rich in her skills as an actress.
Her sudden success left many people speculating about how it happened, seemingly overnight. But Meadows didn't see it that way, and there was nothing to speculate about.
"People may be inclined to think of me as a rather quick, almost outrageous success," Meadows said. "But this is really the cumulative result of all the work and experience over the years."
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Meadows was not only a great champion of her own career, but she was also her biggest supporter and believer. According to the interview, she had an abundance of initiative and used it to her advantage to snag the role of Alice Kramden.
At the time, Meadows spoke with her manager, Val Irving, and Jackie Gleason's manager. They asked if she knew of an actress who might be able to play the part of Alice. As an actress herself, she replied, "I know just the girl—me!"
Both managers were unconvinced but still gave her a chance to meet her future co-star, Jackie Gleason. After their meeting, Gleason told the two managers: "Are you guys out of your minds? Alice is supposed to be a pathetic, beaten-down, worn-out woman. This girl is as far removed from that as anyone could be."
The next morning, Meadows had a photographer take pictures of her with her hair in curlers, wearing a cotton dress, and working over the kitchen sink. She sent the photos to Gleason, who took one look, believed in her, and hired her without an audition.
Meadows proved that confidence and self-belief can be just as valuable as money.
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