Linda Kaye Henning made a rare public appearance in Los Angeles last week, and fans who saw the sixties sitcom Petticoat Junction were delighted. It has been 55 years after the show’s debut, yet at 80, the actress had a youthful energy as she ran errands. However, she was unrecognizable.
The 80-year-old was dressed in a corduroy jacket and loose-fitting jeans, looking different from the polished and glamorous outfits that defined her on-screen presence, yet her signature red hair remained as striking as ever.
Linda Kaye Henning in ‘Petticoat Junction’
Linda Kaye Henning’s most popular role was as Betty Jo Bradley in Petticoat Junction. The sitcom aired from 1963 to 1970 and Betty Jo was one of three daughters helping their mother manage the Shady Rest Hotel. Her passion shone through the character and made the role even more relatable.
Linda Kaye Henning appeared in 219 of the sitcom’s 222 episodes and became synonymous with her character. When she spoke about her time on set, she shared, “We were one of the friendliest sets around. We all got along. We were a family.” The friendship of the casts and crews on set was evident in the heartfelt tone of Petticoat Junction. However, the production had its own challenges.
Henning recalled Bea Benaderet’s lung cancer diagnosis. Bea Benaderet played her on-screen mother, Kate Bradley, and the emotional farewell left an impact on Linda Kaye Henning. She described a scene that involved a letter from Kate as one of the most challenging times of her career, “I just tried not to burst out into tears during the scene.”
Blending marriage with career
Linda Kaye Henning has also appeared in musicals like Bye Bye Birdie and Brigadoon and provided voiceover work as Jethrine Bodine in The Beverly Hillbillies. Later, she married co-star Mike Minor, who played Steve Elliot in Petticoat Junction. Their romance in the sitcom went beyond the screen to real life as they wedded in 1968, a year after their on-screen wedding. However, they divorced in 1973.
The star’s recent public appearance reminded fans of her warmth and talent. Her legacy as Betty Jo Bradley continues to captivate viewers across different generations.