A native Chicagoan, veteran character actress Arlene Golonka was born Arline Golonka. She seemed destined for acting from the start, having been named after silver screen actress Arline Judge , and her childhood was dominated by singing and acting classes. She headed to New York at the age of 19 and began a career on Broadway and in films made in New York City, generally playing bubble-headed or eccentric blondes, often prostitutes. She relocated to Los Angeles in the late 60s. There, while continuing to play small roles on the big screen, she established one of the strongest resumes in television of any character actress, appearing in dozens of programs over the following three decades, often repeatedly on the same program and sometimes playing different characters. Her TV appearances included such legendary programs as "Mary Tyler Moore" (1970), "All in the Family" (1968) and "M*A*S*H" (1972). Her best-known recurring performance as the same character is probably "Millie" on "Mayberry R.F.D." (1968). Golonka has largely retired from television work but continues to take roles in feature films occasionally.

Appeared on the 1965 comedy album "You Don't Have To Be Jewish", which became a hit. Was unavailable to record its follow-up, "When You're In Love The Whole World Is Jewish", but recommended her (non-Jewish) roommate - Valerie Harper , thus beginning Harper's career of playing Jewish characters, most notably Rhoda Morgenstern of "Mary Tyler Moore" (1970) and "Rhoda" (1974).