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Charlotte Rae

Charlotte Rae

Actor · Died August 5, 2018, aged 92 · Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

Charlotte Rae Lubotsky (April 22, 1926 – August 5, 2018) was an American actress and singer. On screen, Rae was best known for her portrayal of Edna Garrett in the sitcoms Diff'rent Strokes and its spin-off, The Facts of Life. She was born to Russian Jewish immigrants Esther (née Ottenstein), who was a childhood friend of Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir, and Meyer Lubotsky, a retail tire business owner. She was one of three sisters, along with Miriam and the late Beverly (December 21, 1921 – June 2, 1998). She graduated from Shorewood High School in 1944. For the first ten years or so of her life, Rae's family lived in Milwaukee, then moved to Shorewood, Wisconsin. She did radio work and was with the Wauwatosa Children's Theatre. At 16, she was an apprentice with the Port Players, a professional theater company that came for the summer to Milwaukee, with several established actors such as Morton DaCosta, who would eventually direct The Music Man on Broadway. Rae attended Northwestern University, although she did not complete her studies, where she met Cloris Leachman, who many years later succeeded Rae on The Facts of Life for the show's last two seasons. At Northwestern she met several unknown stars and producers, including Agnes Nixon, Charlton Heston, Paul Lynde, Gerald Freedman, Claude Akins and songwriter Sheldon Harnick. When a radio personality told her that her last name wouldn't do, she dropped it, to her father's chagrin. She moved to New York City in 1948, where she performed in the theater and nightclubs. During her early years in New York, she worked at the Village Vanguard (alongside up-and-coming talents such as singer Richard Dyer-Bennet) and at the posh Blue Angel, home to budding talents Barbra Streisand, Mike Nichols and Elaine May. She moved to Los Angeles in 1974.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
April 22, 1926
Died
August 5, 2018 (aged 92)
From
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
33 on MovieCove · 87 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 38 days to Oct 27Up 4% in 30 days

What are Charlotte Rae's films like?

Across their 14 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 50th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 60th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Drama2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 47th percentile
: browse their Drama movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
43%
Self
31%
Morality
14%
Power
8%
Survival
2%
Society
2%
Friendship8 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth3 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age3 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose2 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFreedom2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 12 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 9 · Serious 2 · Dark 1

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 9 · Stylized 2 · Heightened 1

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 5 · Charged 6 · Intense 1

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 6 · Shifting 4 · Whiplash 2

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 2 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 5

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 6 · Even-paced 6 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 8 · Engaged 4 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 10 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

5 analyzed roles

Usually the Mentor: 3 of 5 analyzed roles.

Mentor
3 of 5
Shadow
1 of 5
Threshold guardian
1 of 5

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Joyful
9
Warm
6
Hopeful
5
Tense
4
Melancholic
4
Other
10

How their films linger

Feel-good8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end

  • Happy9
  • Bittersweet3
  • Tragic1
  • Cyclical1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Charlotte Rae's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 23 of their 33 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (8).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Charlotte Rae's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

87 credits, 33 with a MovieCove page; 8 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Ricki and the Flash(2015)

    as Oma

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Girl Meets World(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Gammy Hart

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • Love Sick Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Edna

  • Pretty Little Liars(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as Bead Boutique Owner

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • The Great Debate (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 6 episodes · Actor

  • Thomas Kinkade's Christmas Cottage(2008)

    as Vesta

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • You Don't Mess with the Zohan(2008)

    as Mrs. Greenhouse

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Life(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Mary Ford

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • The Facts of Life Reunion(2001)

    as Mrs. Edna Garrett

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • The Tangerine Bear(2000)

    as Mrs. Caruthers (voice)

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Strong Medicine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Maude

  • Another Woman's Husband(2000)

    as Stella

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • The Brothers Flub (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 52 episodes · as Tarara Boomdeeyay (voice)

  • 101 Dalmatians Christmas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Nanny

  • The King of Queens(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Betty

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • The Wonderful World of Disney (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • 101 Dalmatians: The Series(1997)

    Show 105 episodes · as Nanny (voice)

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all shows

  • Nowhere(1997)

    as Fortune Teller

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • E! True Hollywood Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Can't Hurry Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Helen

  • The Itsy Bitsy Spider (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 13 episodes · as Adrienne

  • The Secret World of Alex Mack(1994)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • ER(1994)

    Show 4 episodes · as Roxanne Gaines

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Thunder in Paradise (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Diagnosis Murder(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Estelle

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • Thunder in Paradise (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Lola Miller

  • Tom and Jerry: The Movie(1992)

    as Aunt Figg (voice)

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Sisters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

  • Baby Talk (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Save the Dog! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Actor

  • The Worst Witch(1986)

    as Miss Cackle / Agatha

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Noah's Ark (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Noah's Wife / Additional Voices (voice)

  • The NBC All Star Hour: Let's All Be There (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Actor

  • 227(1985)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all shows

  • Words by Heart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Mary Tom Chism

  • WonderWorks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 2 episodes · as Mary Tom Chism

  • Murder, She Wrote(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Nettie Harper

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • St. Elsewhere (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Proud Mary

  • The Facts of Life Goes to Paris(1982)

    as Edna Garrett

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • The Facts of Life(1979)

    Show 153 episodes · as Edna Garrett

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all shows

  • Beane's of Boston (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Mae Slocombe

  • Beane's of Boston (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 1 episode · as Mae Slocombe

  • Hair(1979)

    as Lady in Pink

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • The Triangle Factory Fire Scandal(1979)

    as Bessie

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Hello, Larry (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 3 episodes · as Edna Garrett

  • Diff'rent Strokes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 51 episodes · as Edna Garrett

  • Flying High (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Rabbit Test (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Cousin Claire

  • A Different Approach (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Actor

  • The Love Boat(1977)

    Show 2 episodes · as Ellen van Bowe

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all shows

  • Sidewinder 1(1977)

    as Mrs. Holt

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Szysznyk (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Our Town (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Mrs. Soames

  • All's Fair (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Family (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Rich Little Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 15 episodes · Actor

  • Queen of the Stardust Ballroom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Helen

  • Hot l Baltimore (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 13 episodes · Actor

  • Barney Miller(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Rebecca Sobel

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • In Fashion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Madame Aigreville

  • Good Times(1974)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • The Paul Lynde Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 2 episodes · as Charlotte

  • Temperatures Rising (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Moscowitz

  • The Hot Rock(1972)

    as Ma Murch

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • McMillan & Wife(1971)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • Bananas(1971)

    as Mrs. Ruth Mellish

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Great Performances (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as Madame Aigreville

  • All in the Family(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as Lillian Henderson

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • The Partridge Family(1970)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Beecher

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all shows

  • Jenny (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Bella Star

  • Love, American Style (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Hello Down There(1969)

    as Myrtle Ruth

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Pinocchio (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Rosa Whale

  • The Love Song of Barney Kempinski (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Woman in Window

  • The Journey of the Fifth Horse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    as Terentievna

  • NET Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 1 episode · as Terentievna

  • The Huffless, Puffless, Dragon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Actor

  • The DuPont Show of the Week (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Mona Brinkman

  • The Defenders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Abeles

  • Way Out (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The World of Sholom Aleichem (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as The Angel Rochele

  • Play of the Week (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • "Waiting for Godot" Intercut with “Krazy Kat” (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Krazy Kat

  • Appointment with Adventure (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The United States Steel Hour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Hallmark Hall of Fame (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Philco Television Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 95th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 87 titles from 1948 to 2015; peak year 2007.

Biggest box office

Ricki and the Flash (2015)

$41M worldwide

Highest rated

Hair (1979)

Midcredits 90th

Most popular right now

The Facts of Life (1979)

Film career

19482015

Peak 2007 · steadily prominent in film for years. Top draw in 1 MovieCove title. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting87 of 87: 87 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score62nd

By decade

1940s1 · acting1950s6 · acting1960s10 · acting1970s31 · acting1980s10 · acting1990s17 · acting2000s8 · acting2010s4 · acting

Billing

usually 10th · top billed in 0% of 11 roles
7196

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Charlotte Rae's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 53rd percentile, the median of all 16; across their 12 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 53rd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

53rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 12

Approval · how many liked their films

58thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 12

Reach · how many have seen their films

60thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 12

Midcredits score across 33 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up10
  • 50th to 74th10
  • 25th to 49th11
  • Below 25th2

Shape of the crowd

14 of their 33 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser14
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed12

Most divisive · actor

The Facts of Life Reunion (2001)

93rd percentile spread · 42% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Hair (1979)

Midcredits 90th · 79% liked

Reviewers score the acting 67/100 in their films, across 12 reviewed titles; fans 74, detractors 47. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Charlotte Rae's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 4 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 41 · moderateMedian of all films: 32

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Charlotte Rae work with?

People who share at least 2 of Charlotte Rae's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Kim Fields shares the most, 3.

Writers

Actors