Wallace was known for her tall frame, red hair, and distinctive laugh. She had a career spanning five decades in TV, in film, and on stage. A frequent guest on The Merv Griffin Show, she was personally recruited for the soon-to-appear network sitcom The Bob Newhart Show, in a role created especially for her. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 1985, she became a cancer activist. She was active throughout her life, with her role as Edna Krabappel, retired after her death.