H. Sansberry; Actress in TV, Movies, Stage

Hope Sansberry, a character actress, whose career dated to the early days of film and stage but who will probably best be remembered for her portrayal of the colonel’s wife on the long-running TV series “The Phil Silvers Show,” has died in Laguna Hills.

Rose Mary Hinrichsen, a longtime friend, reported Sunday that Miss Sansberry was 94 when she died Dec. 14 in Leisure World.

Generally assuming the parts of stately or professional women, Miss Sansberry--who also acted under the name Virginia Staunton--was seen in either Broadway or national touring companies of such stage classics as “I Remember Mama,” “Bittersweet” and “Oklahoma.”

Her pictures included “The Thrill of It All,” “Son of Flubber,” “The Great Waltz” and “A Crooked Ship.”

In September, 1955, she began her most enduring role, that of Nell Hall, wife of Col. John Hall (portrayed by Paul Ford) on Phil Silvers’ outrageous satire of military life. The program ran on CBS through September, 1959, and is still seen in syndication.