Eve Arden

Born Eunice Quedens in Mill Valley, California, Eve Arden perfected the art of the sarcastic sidekick. Her roles, often as the leading lady's best friend or a no-nonsense professional, showcased a talent for delivering zingers with impeccable timing, making her an enduring presence in films from the 1930s to the 1980s.

While she never claimed Jewish heritage, her quick wit and ability to cut through pretense with a perfectly placed quip certainly resonated with a certain sensibility. One could almost hear a faint, appreciative "oy" from the audience each time she nailed a punchline.

Her career highlights include an Oscar nomination for Mildred Pierce and a long-running, Emmy-winning role as the beloved Miss Brooks in Our Miss Brooks on both radio and television. She truly made a career out of being the smartest person in the room, often leaving the leading man to look a bit, well, slow. For this, we kvell just a little.