Television in the early 1960s was weirdly obsessed with the idea of the "super maid." You had show after show where the domestic help was basically the only person in the house with a functioning brain. But honestly, none of them did it quite like Shirley Booth. When we talk about the cast of Hazel, we aren't just talking about a group of actors hitting their marks on a soundstage at Columbia Pictures. We’re talking about a very specific, lightning-in-a-bottle chemistry that turned a single-panel comic strip by Ted Key into a multi-year ratings juggernaut.
It’s easy to look back at 1961 and think everything was black-and-white (though Hazel was actually a pioneer in color broadcasting) and simple. It wasn't. The show survived network jumps and massive casting overhauls that would kill a modern sitcom in three weeks.
Shirley Booth was the Only Choice
You can't start anywhere else. Shirley Booth was the show. Before she ever put on that apron, Booth was a heavy hitter in the acting world. She’s one of the few people to win the Triple Crown of Acting: an Oscar, a Tony, and an Emmy. Most people don't realize she was already in her 60s when the show started.
She played Hazel Burke with this brassy, intrusive, but ultimately loving energy that drove her "employer," George Baxter, absolutely up the wall. Most of the humor came from the fact that Hazel didn't really view herself as an employee. She was the COO of the household. She handled the plumbing, the local politics, and the emotional labor of the Baxter family while George mostly sputtered in the corner.
The Baxter Family: The Original Lineup
For the first four seasons on NBC, the dynamic was a four-person engine. Don DeFore played George Baxter. He was the perfect "straight man." If you watch those early episodes, DeFore’s job was basically to look frustrated while Hazel solved his problems. He was a corporate lawyer who couldn't even manage his own kitchen without Hazel’s permission.
Whitney Blake played Dorothy "Missy" Baxter. In many ways, Dorothy was the bridge between Hazel’s old-school wisdom and George’s rigid professionalism. Blake played the role with a lot of grace, but let’s be real—she often took a backseat to the sparring matches between Hazel and George.
Then you had Bobby Buntrock as Harold Baxter.
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Child actors are a gamble. Sometimes they’re annoying. Sometimes they’re wooden. Buntrock, however, had this genuine bond with Booth that felt real. He called her "Hazel," not because he was being disrespectful, but because she was his best friend. That relationship was the heart of the show. It gave Hazel a reason to stay in that house beyond a paycheck.
The Side Characters You Probably Forgot
The cast of Hazel was filled out by some incredible character actors who showed up just often enough to keep the world feeling lived-in.
- Howard Smith as Harvey Griffin: George's biggest, grumpiest client. He was a millionaire who only listened to Hazel. It was a recurring gag—this titan of industry was basically putty in the hands of a maid.
- Maudie Prickett as Rosie: Hazel’s best friend and a fellow maid. Their gossip sessions over the fence were the 1960s equivalent of a group chat.
- Cathy Lewis as Deirdre Thompson: George's snobby sister who absolutely could not stand Hazel’s "insolence."
These actors provided the friction. Without Deirdre looking down her nose at Hazel, we wouldn't have had the satisfaction of seeing Hazel put her in her place with a well-timed quip or a tray of perfect hors d'oeuvres.
The Great 1965 Shake-up
Here is where things get genuinely strange. After four successful seasons, NBC cancelled the show. It was still popular, but the demographics were shifting. CBS, seeing an opportunity, picked it up for a fifth season. But there was a catch.
Don DeFore and Whitney Blake were out.
Suddenly, the show explained away the loss of the two lead parents by saying George had been transferred to the Middle East for work. They sent Harold to live with George’s brother, Steve Baxter.
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Ray Fulmer came in as Steve, and Lynn Borden played his wife, Barbara. This new cast of Hazel dynamic changed the show's DNA. Steve was a real estate agent, and the vibe was a bit younger, a bit more "suburban chic." But the fans were divided. Some felt the magic was gone without the constant bickering between Hazel and the "Mr. B" she had spent years training.
Why the Chemistry Worked
What made this group of people special? It was the lack of cynicism.
In a modern context, a show about a maid might feel exploitative or overly political. But the cast of Hazel played it with a weirdly progressive undertone. Hazel wasn't a victim of her class status. She was the most powerful person in the room. Shirley Booth insisted on that. She didn't want Hazel to be a caricature.
She played her as a woman who knew her worth.
When you look at the technical side of the acting, Don DeFore’s timing was impeccable. It’s hard to play "annoyed" for 100 episodes without becoming unlikable. He managed to stay endearing. You knew he loved Hazel, even when he was yelling about her interfering in his law briefs.
The Tragic Aftermath
It’s a bit somber to look at what happened to the cast after the show ended in 1966.
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Bobby Buntrock, who played little Harold, had a tough time transitioning into adult life. He died in a car accident in 1974 at only 21 years old. It’s a dark footnote to a show that was so overwhelmingly bright and optimistic.
Shirley Booth basically retired from screen acting a few years after the show. She went back to her first love, the stage, and eventually lived a very private life in Cape Cod. She didn't do the "celebrity circuit." She didn't need to. Hazel had made her a household name forever.
How to Watch and What to Look For
If you’re going back to watch the show now—maybe on a nostalgia network or a streaming service—pay attention to the background. Since the cast of Hazel filmed at Screen Gems, you’ll see a lot of the same sets used in Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie.
Specifically, look at the transition from Season 4 to Season 5.
It’s a masterclass in how to (or how not to) reboot a show mid-run. The shift in energy is palpable. While Ray Fulmer and Lynn Borden were perfectly fine actors, they didn't have that decade of built-up history that DeFore and Blake had.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of this classic show, don't just stop at the episodes.
- Check out the original comics: Ted Key’s "Hazel" appeared in the Saturday Evening Post. Seeing the source material helps you appreciate how much Shirley Booth brought to the character. The comic Hazel was much "sharper" and a bit more cynical. Booth softened her.
- Track down the "Color" history: Hazel was one of the first shows to be filmed entirely in color to help RCA sell color TV sets. If you can find the high-definition remasters, the 1960s interior design is a fever dream of turquoise and avocado green.
- Study the "Straight Man" technique: For any aspiring actors or writers, study Don DeFore. His ability to react to a powerhouse like Booth without being overshadowed is a rare skill.
- Look for the guest stars: Keep an eye out for young actors who later became famous. You’ll see familiar faces like Jamie Farr (from MASH*) popping up in bit parts.
The show remains a staple of TV history because it didn't try to be high art. It was about a family, the woman who actually ran it, and the hilarious chaos that happens when a professional is smarter than her bosses. Whether you prefer the early NBC years or the final CBS season, the cast of Hazel left a footprint on the sitcom genre that you can still see in "bossy" characters today.