Trivia

Audley was a New York-area born, stage-trained actress who specialized in snobbish society matron types, most notably in the recurring role of the mother of Oliver Wendell Douglas (played by Eddie Albert) on Green Acres (1965), despite her being only six months older than Albert. However, she is likely best-remembered (if not by name) as the voice of two of Disney's most memorable animated villainesses: Lady Tremaine, the wicked stepmother, in Cinderella (1950), and, almost a decade later. as the evil fairy Maleficent in Sleeping Beauty (1959). She also served as the physical model for both Disney characters.

She was the original voice of Madame Leota in Disney's The Haunted Mansion attractions.

In "Green Acres", Audley played disapproving mother Eunice Douglas. Her television son Oliver Douglas was played by actor Eddie Albert. Albert was actually only five months younger than Audley.

In the radio show "My Favorite Husband", Audley played the snobbish mother-in-law of Liz Cooper (played by Lucille Ball). The radio show was later reworked to the television series "I Love Lucy" (1951-1957), but Audley was not invited to join the new cast.

She was a lifelong liberal Democrat.

She is buried at Mount Sinai Memorial Park in Los Angeles, California.

Audley was the first actress to portray Lady Tremaine. Subsequent depictions of the character were portrayed by Susanne Blakeslee, Cate Blanchett, and Gabrielle Anwar.

Audley was the first actress to portray Maleficent. Subsequent depictions of the character were portrayed by Angelina Jolie, Ella Purnell, Isobelle Molloy, Kristin Chenoweth, Linda Gary, Lois Nettleton, Susanne Blakeslee, and Rajia Baroudi.