Hope Summers

Hope Summers was an American character actress known for her work on The Andy Griffith Show and Mayberry RFD, portraying Clara Edwards. Born Sarah Hope Summers in Mattoon, Illinois, Summers was the daughter of John W. Summers and Jennie B. Summers, and reared in Illinois and in Walla Walla, Washington. A regional actress who had often performed in one-woman shows, Summers was past fifty when she came to Hollywood to begin her career as a character player. She made her television debut in 1951 on the series Hawkin Falls, Population 6200 but it was not until the late 1950s when she kicked off... a career as one of the most in-demand character performers on television. Summers first attracted attention in 1958 in the semi-regular role as Hattie Denton on the western series The Rifleman, starring Chuck Connors. She guest starred on dozens of series including Joan Caulfield's Sally, Wagon Train, State Trooper, Mr.
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