A Sitcom Star’s Hidden Past

Gunilla Hutton became a television favorite on Petticoat Junction and Hee Haw, but her most dramatic story unfolded offscreen. Before fame, she toured with music legend Nat King Cole and began a secret affair with him.  It ended only after Hutton made an extraordinary telephone call to his wife, Maria. 

David Cairns, Getty Images

From Sweden To Texas

Hutton was born in Gothenburg, Sweden, on May 15, 1944. She moved to the United States with her family when she was seven and reportedly arrived speaking no English. The family eventually settled in Fort Worth, Texas, where Hutton spent much of her youth.

Screenshot from Hee Haw, Yongestreet Program Services (1971–1993)

She Found Her Place Onstage

Hutton’s path into entertainment included singing, dancing, and acting. She toured with Nat King Cole and performed in stage shows with Jack Benny in Las Vegas  Those early opportunities placed her alongside some of America’s biggest entertainers.

NBC photo., Wikimedia Commons

Nat King Cole Was Already An Icon

By the time Hutton entered Cole’s professional circle, he had spent decades building an extraordinary career. His recordings included “Mona Lisa,” “Nature Boy,” “The Christmas Song,” and “Unforgettable.” The Recording Academy credits him with 28 Top 40 hits and later honored him with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Library of Congress, Wikimedia Commons

He Had Broken Television Barriers

Cole was more than a bestselling recording artist. In 1956, he became the first major Black performer to host a network variety series. The Nat King Cole Show attracted famous guests but struggled to secure a national sponsor because advertisers feared prejudice from white viewers.

NBC Television, Wikimedia Commons

Maria Had Her Own Career

Cole’s wife was not simply a celebrity spouse living in his shadow. Maria Hawkins Cole had performed professionally with Count Basie and Duke Ellington before launching a solo career. She met Cole while performing at New York’s Club Zanzibar.

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Their Marriage Became A Major Event

Nat and Maria married in 1948 at Harlem’s Abyssinian Baptist Church. The ceremony was performed by Adam Clayton Powell Jr., who was then serving in Congress. They eventually raised five children, including future Grammy-winning singer Natalie Cole.

Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images

The Marriage Was Not Perfect

Cole’s smooth public image concealed serious private complications. A major biography by Daniel Mark Epstein described a wandering eye that became less discreet while Maria remained home with their children. By the final years of his life, those outside relationships had placed considerable strain on the marriage.

Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images

Hutton Joined Cole’s Stage Show

Hutton entered Cole’s life while touring as part of his stage production. The young Swedish performer was still trying to establish herself in entertainment. Working beside one of the world’s most successful singers suddenly placed her inside his glamorous and complicated orbit.

Screenshot from Petticoat Junction, Viacom Enterprises (1963–1970)

Their Age Difference Was Striking

Hutton was approximately 20 during the final year of Cole’s life. Cole was 45 and had been a professional musician since before she was born. The roughly 25-year age difference made their relationship especially unequal in experience, fame, and professional influence.

Screenshot from Petticoat Junction, Viacom Enterprises (1963–1970)

Their Working Relationship Turned Personal

According to Epstein’s biography, Cole fell deeply in love with Hutton during this period. He was still married to Maria when the affair began. Hutton was working as a dancer in his touring show at the time.

GAC-General Artists Corporation (management), Wikimedia Commons

Her Famous Sitcom Role Came Later

The affair is sometimes discussed as though Hutton was already a Petticoat Junction star. In reality, Cole died months before she began appearing as Billie Jo Bradley. Their relationship belonged to the lesser-known opening chapter of her career.

Screenshot from Petticoat Junction, Viacom Enterprises (1963–1970)

Cole’s Health Began To Fail

During the second half of 1964, Cole began experiencing severe health problems. Doctors eventually discovered advanced lung cancer. The diagnosis arrived after years of heavy cigarette smoking and an exhausting performance schedule.

Cleary, Strauss, Irwin & Goodman-publicity, Wikimedia Commons

His Career Continued Until The End

Cole kept working despite his deteriorating condition. He completed his final recording sessions in December 1964, shortly before entering the hospital. The resulting album, L-O-V-E, was released shortly before his death.

Los Angeles Times, Wikimedia Commons

Maria Controlled Access To Him

Once Cole was hospitalized, Maria remained close to him and restricted incoming telephone calls. Epstein’s account describes the couple moving through furious arguments and long silences. Hutton was now separated from Cole while his wife guarded his hospital room.

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Hutton Refused To Stay Silent

Hutton eventually telephoned Maria directly at home. This was not a casual admission or an attempt to apologize for what had happened. She wanted Maria to release Cole from their marriage.

Screenshot from Petticoat Junction, Viacom Enterprises (1963–1970)

She Asked Maria For A Divorce

According to the account summarized by The New York Times, Hutton asked Maria to give Cole the divorce he supposedly wanted. The call forced the affair into the open between the two women. Maria now had to confront a much younger performer who believed Cole intended to be with her.

Screenshot from Petticoat Junction, Viacom Enterprises (1963–1970)

Maria Went Back To The Hospital

Maria responded by returning to her husband’s hospital room. Instead of agreeing to Hutton’s request, she made Cole address the situation himself. His illness had already left him extremely weak.

Evening Standard, Getty Images

She Dialed Hutton’s Number

Maria reportedly placed the telephone call to Hutton for him. Cole was too weak to hold the receiver, so Maria held it while he spoke. She remained close enough to hear what her husband told the other woman.

International News Photos, Wikimedia Commons

Cole Ended The Relationship

Cole told Hutton that he was dying and needed to remain with his family. Whatever plans or promises had existed between them were finished. Maria had entered the hospital as the betrayed wife, but she emerged as the person who would remain beside him.

General Artists Corporation (management), Wikimedia Commons

The Affair Had Reached Its End

The final call left Hutton with no realistic future alongside Cole. His condition was terminal, and he had chosen to stay with Maria and their children. What had begun inside a glamorous touring production ended through a telephone receiver in a hospital room.

The Library of Congress, Wikimedia Commons

Cole Died One Month Later

Nat King Cole died in Santa Monica on February 15, 1965. He was only 45 years old. Maria was with him during his final illness and protected the seriousness of his condition from the public.

Capitol Records, Wikimedia Commons

Maria Preserved His Legacy

After Cole’s death, Maria worked to protect and celebrate his musical reputation. She also established the Cole Cancer Foundation. Although the marriage had endured painful betrayals, she remained closely associated with his family and legacy until her death in 2012.

Express, Getty Images

Hutton Arrived In Hooterville

Later in 1965, Hutton joined the third season of CBS’s Petticoat Junction. The sitcom followed Kate Bradley, her daughters, and the colorful residents surrounding the Shady Rest Hotel. Its gentle rural comedy presented an image far removed from the personal drama Hutton had recently experienced.

Silver Screen Collection, Getty Images

She Became The Second Billie Jo

Jeannine Riley had originated the role of ambitious eldest daughter Billie Jo Bradley. Hutton replaced her for the show’s third season. Meredith MacRae then assumed the part and remained with the series for its later years.

Screenshot from Petticoat Junction, Viacom Enterprises (1963–1970)

Her Stay Was Brief But Memorable

Hutton appeared on Petticoat Junction for only one season. No reliable public account establishes that her departure had anything to do with Cole or their affair. Although her run was short, the role gave her a lasting place in classic television history.

Screenshot from Petticoat Junction, Viacom Enterprises (1963–1970)

Hee Haw Became Her Television Home

Hutton found greater stability when she joined Hee Haw in 1969. Hutton remained a regular cast member until 1990  She became particularly recognizable as Nurse Goodbody, the glamorous comic foil to Archie Campbell’s doctor.

Screenshot from Hee Haw, Yongestreet Program Services (1971–1993)

Her Story Was Bigger Than One Scandal

Hutton continued singing and dancing while building her television career. She played Lola in a stage production of Damn Yankees and appeared with Roy Clark in Paint Your Wagon. She later married Allan Freeman, raised a family, and largely stepped away from the spotlight that had surrounded her youth.

Screenshot from Hee Haw, Yongestreet Productions (1969–1993)

The Story Behind The Smile

Hutton’s later career was defined by comedy, country music, and a quieter family life. Yet her relationship with Cole placed her inside the painful final chapter of an American music legend’s life. Few viewers watching her in Hooterville could have imagined the complicated history behind her cheerful television image.

Screenshot from Petticoat Junction, Viacom Enterprises (1963–1970)

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Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10