Inga Swenson (Omaha, December 29, 1932 – Los Angeles, July 23, 2023) was an American actress and singer. Her career took off on Broadway in the 1950s and 1960s, where her vocal skills earned her two Tony Award nominations for Best Actress in a Musical for her performances in *110 in the Shade* (1964) and *Baker Street* (1965). On the big screen, she is known for her role as Kate Keller, Helen Keller's mother, in the film *The Miracle Worker* (1962). However, she achieved her greatest television popularity portraying Gretchen Kraus, the irascible German housekeeper in the sitcom *Benson* (1979–1986). This role earned her three Emmy Award nominations and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress. After the series ended, her appearances became less frequent until her retirement from acting in 1998.