Nancy Walker, born Anna Myrtle Swoyer on May 10, 1922, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was an American actress and comedian known for her work on stage, screen, and television.

She began her career in vaudeville as a child alongside her parents, Dewey Barto and Myrtle Flemming, and made her Broadway debut in 1941 with the musical "Best Foot Forward." Her film debut came in the 1943 musical comedy "Best Foot Forward," and she continued to work in films throughout the 1940s and 1950s, including roles in "Girl Crazy" (1943) and "On the Town" (1944).

Her television career took off in the 1970s, with notable roles in the sitcoms "McMillan & Wife" as the sardonic maid Mildred and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" as the outlandish Jewish mother Ida Morgenstern.

She reprised her role as Ida in the spin-off series "Rhoda," which earned her critical acclaim and several award nominations.

She was also known for her memorable appearances in Bounty paper-towel commercials as Rosie the waitress.

Nancy Walker directed episodes of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and other television productions. She was married twice, first to actor Gar Moore and later to vocal coach David Craig, with whom she had a daughter, Miranda.

Nancy Walker passed away on March 25, 1992, from lung cancer, leaving behind a legacy of memorable performances and contributions to the entertainment industry.