Actress, Singer. She is best remembered for her portrayal of the outgoing Linda Bennett in "Rockabilly Baby" (1957). Born into a working-class family, the third of four children, after completing her public education at Yosemite Middle School where she was active in the drama club, she later was able to transfer unto the Hollywood Professional School and became a member of the musical group The Collins Kids. Following her graduation, she began her career originally as singer performing in various nightclubs. While performing at a private party at the home of director William F. Claxton, he was so impressed by her dark good looks, charm, and articulate voice, that he arranged for her to begin a career in the film and television industry going on to appear in over 15 features. She was often typecast as either a southern belle, playgirl, chorine, gold-digger, love interest, best friend, nurse, retail clerk, nanny, neighbor, secretary, wife, mother, girlfriend, white-collared worker, or debutante. She had a leading role in the motion picture "Attack of the Puppet People" (1958). On television, she flourished as a household name appearing in various guest spots on such syndicated sitcoms as "Sandy's Hayride," "The Spade Cooley Show," "Hometown Jamboree," "The Bob Cosby Show," "Strictly Informal," "The Lux Show," "Wagon Train," "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis," "Bourbon Street Beat," "The Loretta Young Show," "Markham," "The Andy Griffith Show," "Maverick," "Laramie," and "The Dick Powell Theatre". During her career, she was a member of the Screen Actors Guild, was supportive of the Motion Picture and Television Fund, had been the celebrity spokeswomen for the Arthritis and Rheumatism Foundation, recorded five solo albums, had been courted by actor Roger Moore in 1960, was supportive of the California State Democratic Committee, had been a regular parishioner of the Catholic church, presided as a chairwoman for her local charters of Salesian Missions and the American Red Cross, and she was married to businessman Kerry Hodges from 1966 until her death (their union produced no children). In 1965, she retired from acting and went on to spend the final years of her life working as a curator for several state parks and museums until her death from the complications of cancer.

Actress, Singer. She is best remembered for her portrayal of the outgoing Linda Bennett in "Rockabilly Baby" (1957). Born into a working-class family, the third of four children, after completing her public education at Yosemite Middle School where she was active in the drama club, she later was able to transfer unto the Hollywood Professional School and became a member of the musical group The Collins Kids. Following her graduation, she began her career originally as singer performing in various nightclubs. While performing at a private party at the home of director William F. Claxton, he was so impressed by her dark good looks, charm, and articulate voice, that he arranged for her to begin a career in the film and television industry going on to appear in over 15 features. She was often typecast as either a southern belle, playgirl, chorine, gold-digger, love interest, best friend, nurse, retail clerk, nanny, neighbor, secretary, wife, mother, girlfriend, white-collared worker, or debutante. She had a leading role in the motion picture "Attack of the Puppet People" (1958). On television, she flourished as a household name appearing in various guest spots on such syndicated sitcoms as "Sandy's Hayride," "The Spade Cooley Show," "Hometown Jamboree," "The Bob Cosby Show," "Strictly Informal," "The Lux Show," "Wagon Train," "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis," "Bourbon Street Beat," "The Loretta Young Show," "Markham," "The Andy Griffith Show," "Maverick," "Laramie," and "The Dick Powell Theatre". During her career, she was a member of the Screen Actors Guild, was supportive of the Motion Picture and Television Fund, had been the celebrity spokeswomen for the Arthritis and Rheumatism Foundation, recorded five solo albums, had been courted by actor Roger Moore in 1960, was supportive of the California State Democratic Committee, had been a regular parishioner of the Catholic church, presided as a chairwoman for her local charters of Salesian Missions and the American Red Cross, and she was married to businessman Kerry Hodges from 1966 until her death (their union produced no children). In 1965, she retired from acting and went on to spend the final years of her life working as a curator for several state parks and museums until her death from the complications of cancer.

Bio by: Lowell Thurgood