Actress Connie Hines, who played the unsuspecting wife of Wilbur Post, the only human that the talking horse, Mr. Ed would speak to in the 1960's TV series, has died. She was 78.
Connie Hines died last Friday at her home in Beverly Hills from complications of heart problems, Alan Young, who played the aforementioned Wilbur Post, told the LA Times. "I lost a great friend. She was always joyous."
Connie Hines played the straight woman to the talking horse and his best pal, Wilbur. In the show, which ran from 1961 to 1966 on CBS, the Posts moved into country home and found a horse in their barn. The first episode showed Mr. Ed "introducing" himself to Wilbur. However, Ed wouldn't talk to anyone but Wilbur, which led to obvious problems for Wilbur, and for his wife Carol, as well. Carol was constantly wondering if Wilbur was "all there," as did the neighbors.
Although the show left the air in the mid-60s, the show has moved to cable reruns, and has introduced Mr. Ed, and thus Alan Young and Connie Hines, to a new generation of fans. However, the role of Carol Post was rather unfulfilling, said Young.
“She was a girl married to a fellow listening to a horse. Her biggest line was ‘Lunch is ready.’"
Additionally, to those who watched the show, sometimes Wilbur made choices which pitted Carol vs. Ed. To someone who knew what Ed had said to Wilbur, it might have made sense. To Carol, it made her think Wilbur cared about more about a "mere horse" than his wife. It was not an easy role to play for Connie Hines.
After "Mr. Ed" was cancelled, Hines sporadically worked on TV in guest roles, including "Medical Center," "The Mod Squad" and "Bonanza." In 1970, she wed for the second time, to Lee Savin, an entertainment lawyer and producer. Her first marriage had ended in divorce.
On the recommendation of Young, the couple moved to Dana Point, CA. Hines hosted a local cable access show about animals. Lee Savin, an entertainment lawyer and producer, died in 1995.
Written by Michael Santo
HULIQ.com
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