Rosalyn Borden

Rosalynn "Roz" Borden (May 29 1932 – January 23 2003) is an American Actress. Roz alongside her sister Marilyn Borden created the acting duo known as The Borden Twins. The two were born in Hartford, Connecticut on May 29, 1932 to Harry and Elizabeth Borden, they would be followed in 1945 by younger sister Barbara Borden. The Twins got into acting with the encouragement of their parents and as children worked with such famous names as Bill Robinson. In 1951 they caught the eye of Gene Kelley who wanted to get them a part in Singin' in the Rain, but the sisters did belong to the Screen Actors Guild and can only be seen as extras in large crowd scenes in the film.

The Twins would appear on several television shows including: The Spike Jones Show, as well as regular performers on Jimmy Durante Show. In the early fifties the Girls began their association with Durante that would span seven years, appearing on many of his TV shows and travelling in his nightclub act. between their work with Durante, the twins played local nightclubs and travelled with the U.S.O. to entertain servicemen in Korea, Japan, and the Philippines.

I Love Lucy and later career
While appearing on an episode of The Ed Wynn Show they caught the eye of Lucille Ball, who promised them she would find a part for them on I Love Lucy. It was their big break. They appeared in episode 112 "Tennessee Bound" in which they played the Sheriff's daughter's 'Teensy' and Weensy,' opposite Tennessee Ernie Ford.

The sisters continued work on television and appeared on shows including: CHiPs, Maude, and The Ropers.

In The 1970s and 1980s the sisters worked on the San Francisco based morning show A.M. San Francisco as fitness experts.

Also in the 1980s they began work with Bob Newhart in his stage show in Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe.

Roz and Marilyn were last seen together on television on the 1998 "All-Star Tribute to Aaron Spelling."

They would continue to appear at Lucy conventions in California and Jamestown New York, but they had gotten into the Travel business and booked cruise tours on which they would perform.

Roz had been ill for several years, and the twins moved from the San Francisco Bay Area to Modesto, California.

On May 29, 2002 they celebrated their 70th Birthday, but Roz's health declined and she died of liver failure on January 23, 2003.

Television

 * Four Star Revue (Girl in Gondola 1 episode 1952)
 * The Colgate Comedy Hour (1952)
 * The Spike Jones Show (1954 and 1957)
 * The Ed Wynn Show
 * The Jimmy Durante Show (1955-1957 regular performer)
 * I Love Lucy (episode 112 "Tennessee Bound" January 24, 1955 as Weensy)
 * Rhoda .... Rosalyn (1 episode, 1976) only work not done with Marilyn.
 * CHiPs .... Dottie Tidwell (1 episode, 1977)
 * Maude .... Shirley (1 episode, 1978)
 * Apple Pie (Rue McClanahan series) .... Trudy Laskey (1 episode, 1978)
 * The Ropers .... Betty (1 episode, 1979)
 * Lottery! .... Dora (1 episode, 1984)
 * The Joan Rivers Show.... (1989)
 * Out of This World .... Buffalo Breath Twin (1 episode, 1990)
 * All-Star Party for Aaron Spelling 1998

Trivia

 * Many Lucy fans do not know that Marilyn and Roz were told to sing off-key when performing the song Ricochet (song).
 * Though the twins were asked to perform Ricochet for countless audiences over the years, Marilyn's signature song is actually Won't You Come Home Bill Bailey.
 * Their favorite star to work with was Bob Newhart, their least favorite was Jimmy Duarante.
 * Roles usually had to be made around them, their weight being the joke, Lucille Ball specifically had their role on I Love Lucy tailor made for them.  Their friendship with Rue McClanahan got them a part on Maude.
 * Were extras in the crowd scene in Singin in the Rain.
 * Bob Newhart wanted them for a role on his series Newhart, but it never panned out.
 * Traveled on a USO tour with Ruta Lee, and they became lifelong friends.
 * Traveled on a USO tour with Charles "Buddy" Rogers, the husband of silent movie star Mary Pickford, and on return the duo were asked to dinner at Pickfair. It was an experience Roz would forever cherrish.