During the 1940s and 1950s, Margaret Hamilton enjoyed a lengthy stint on the radio series Ethel and Albert (also known as The Couple Next Door), portraying the endearing yet scatterbrained Aunt Eva (later renamed Aunt Effie). Her talent also graced two episodes of The Phil Silvers Show in 1957. Transitioning to television during the 1960s and 1970s, she became a familiar face, appearing as a mystery guest on the popular Sunday night CBS-TV program What’s My Line?. Hamilton took on the role of Morticia Addams’ mother, Hester Frump, in three episodes of The Addams Family (1965–66), although she had declined the opportunity to portray Grandmama.[citation needed]

In 1962, Hamilton portrayed Leora Scofield, a suffragette advocating for feminist causes in Laramie, Wyoming, in the NBC series Laramie episode “Beyond Justice.”

Following her early stage career in the 1930s, Margaret Hamilton immersed herself in theater after departing Los Angeles. Notable Broadway appearances included starring in the musical Goldilocks opposite Don Ameche and Elaine Stritch, embodying the authoritative Parthy Anne Hawks in the 1966 revival of Show Boat (partnered with David Wayne), and portraying the affectionate Aunt Eller in the 1968 Lincoln Center revival of Oklahoma!. Hamilton also toured extensively in various plays and musicals, even reprising her iconic role as the Wicked Witch in specially adapted stage productions of The Wizard of Oz. Her final stage performance saw her as Madame Armfeldt in Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music, enchanting audiences with her rendition of “Liaisons” during the national tour alongside Jean Simmons as her daughter Desiree.

Despite her prolific film career, Margaret Hamilton embraced roles across different media platforms, including making her soap opera debut as the conniving Mrs. Sayre on Valiant Lady. In the 1960s, she became a regular on CBS’s The Secret Storm, portraying Grace Tyrell’s housekeeper, Katie. Additionally, she showcased her versatility in ABC’s radio anthology Theatre-Five, portraying the manipulative Aunt Lettie opposite Joan Lorring’s Maude in “Noose of Pearls.” Transitioning to television, Hamilton joined the cast of CBS’s As the World Turns in the early 1970s as Miss Peterson, Simon Gilbey’s assistant. Her diverse roles ranged from the made-for-television film The Night Strangler (1973) to appearances on Sigmund and the Sea Monsters and The Paul Lynde Halloween Special (1976), where she revisited her infamous Wicked Witch persona. Hamilton’s reprisal of the Wicked Witch role in a 1976 episode of Sesame Street garnered mixed reactions, with some parents finding it too frightening for children, prompting Fred Rogers to reassure viewers of her fictional nature in three episodes of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood between 1975 and 1976. Hamilton remained active in acting until 1982, making her final appearances as veteran journalist Thea Taft on Lou Grant in 1979 and 1982.

During the 1970s, Hamilton resided in New York City’s Gramercy Park neighborhood, lending her support to organizations advocating for pet welfare through local and national public-service announcements. She gained widespread recognition as the genial general store owner, Cora, in Maxwell House coffee commercials. Additionally, she guest-starred on the radio revival series CBS Radio Mystery Theater in 1975, portraying the title role in the episode “Triptych for a Witch.”

In 1973, Margaret Hamilton ventured into production with the staging of An Evening with the Bourgeoisie. Her subsequent productions in the mid-1970s included The Three Sisters and House Party, solidifying her multifaceted contributions to the entertainment industry.