Inga Swenson (born December 29, 1932; Omaha, Nebraska) is an American actress. 　　Inga Swenson graduated from Omaha Central High School in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1950. She studied drama at Northwestern University under Alvina Krause, among others, and was a member of the Alpha Phi sorority. Early in her career, Swenson had supporting roles in the films Advise and Consent (1962) and The Miracle Worker (1962) in which she played Helen Keller's mother. Swenson is a trained lyric soprano and starred on Broadway in New Faces (c. 1956), and The First Gentleman (1959), receiving Tony Award nominations for Best Actress in a Musical for her performances in 110 in the Shade (1964) and Baker Street (1965). 　　Swenson had a role in the TV western series Bonanza in two episodes: "Inger, My Love" (1962) and "Journey Remembered" (1963). Swenson is best known for her portrayal of Gretchen Kraus, the autocratic and acerbic German cook (later head housekeeper and budget director) in the TV sitcom Benson. She received the part by appearing in a multi-episode stint as Ingrid Svenson, the Swedish birth mother of Corinne Tate (Diana Canova), on the TV sitcom Soap, which had the same producers. She also appeared as northern matriarch Maude Hazard in the mini-series North and South in 1985 and again in 1986. 　　A life member of The Actors Studio, her favorite role was Lizzie Currie in the musical 110 in the Shade.