Actress. Born in New York City, she was a model and Broadway chorus girl before coming to Hollywood in 1943. Although she had notable roles in "Up in Arms" (1944), "Knickerbocker Holiday" (1944), and "Black Angel" (1946), her intelligence and steely beauty made her difficult to cast, and her career did not progress. From 1947 to 1950 Dowling lived in Italy, where she appeared in forgettable films and had a torrid affair with Cesare Pavese, the famous writer. Pavese committed suicide in 1950 when she dumped him. After another hopeless affair in New York, this time with director Elia Kazan, Dowling returned to Hollywood but only landed a part in the low-budget sci-fi thriller "Gog" (1954). It was her last film. In 1955 she married producer Ivan Tors and virtually retired from acting. During the 1960s Dowling worked as a tour guide in the Virgin Islands. She died of cardiac arrest at 49, her considerable promise as an performer left unfulfilled. She was the sister of actress Doris Dowling.
Actress. Born in New York City, she was a model and Broadway chorus girl before coming to Hollywood in 1943. Although she had notable roles in "Up in Arms" (1944), "Knickerbocker Holiday" (1944), and "Black Angel" (1946), her intelligence and steely beauty made her difficult to cast, and her career did not progress. From 1947 to 1950 Dowling lived in Italy, where she appeared in forgettable films and had a torrid affair with Cesare Pavese, the famous writer. Pavese committed suicide in 1950 when she dumped him. After another hopeless affair in New York, this time with director Elia Kazan, Dowling returned to Hollywood but only landed a part in the low-budget sci-fi thriller "Gog" (1954). It was her last film. In 1955 she married producer Ivan Tors and virtually retired from acting. During the 1960s Dowling worked as a tour guide in the Virgin Islands. She died of cardiac arrest at 49, her considerable promise as an performer left unfulfilled. She was the sister of actress Doris Dowling.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
Family Members
Advertisement
See more Dowling memorials in:
Records on Ancestry
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
