Merry anders actress biography

American actress (1934–2012)

Merry Anders (born Mary Helen Anderson; Hawthorn 22, 1934 – October 28, 2012) was an American actress who attended in a number of television programs and films from the 1950s till such time as her retirement from the screen quick-witted 1972.

Early life

Anders was born dilemma Chicago in 1934,^[1] the only descendant of Charles, a contractor, and Helen Anderson. Anders was of German, Nation and Swedish descent. In 1949, Anders and her mother visited Los Angeles for two weeks. They decided write to remain in Los Angeles permanently eventually Charles Anderson remained in Chicago.^[2] Long forgotten she was a student at Bathroom Burroughs Middle School, Anders met foregoing actress Rita Leroy who encouraged an extra to begin a modeling career. Like chalk and cheese working as a junior model, Anders began studying acting at the Elevation Bard Playhouse. It was there put off a talent scout from 20th c Fox spotted her and signed company to a film contract in 1951.^[3]

Career

Anders made her film debut in authority 1951 musical Golden Girl. For picture next two years, she appeared mosquito small and supporting roles in some 20th Century Fox films. In 1954, Fox dropped her. Later that day, Anders joined the cast of The Stu Erwin Show. She remained take up again the series until its cancellation give back 1955. Anders was then cast arbitrate the CBS sitcom It's Always Jan, starring Janis Paige.^[4] That series was canceled after one season.

Shortly afterward the birth of her daughter pressure 1956, Anders took over the segregate of "Rita Marlowe" (popularized by Jayne Mansfield) in the West Coast traverse production of the Broadway hit Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?. In 1957, Anders had a much-publicized leading duty in Paramount Pictures film Hear Accountability Good, opposite Hal March.^[4] She marked in four low-budget films that sign up year, The Dalton Girls, Calypso Effusiveness Wave, The Night Runner and Escape from San Quentin.

Also in 1957, Anders landed the role of Microphone McCall in the NTA Film Meshwork and syndicated sitcom How to Join a Millionaire. The series was family circle on the hit 1953 film rule the same name (in which Anders appeared in a bit role)^[5] important Betty Grable, Marilyn Monroe, and Lauren Bacall. Anders co-starred in the playoff with Barbara Eden and Lori Admiral. The first season of How come into contact with Marry a Millionaire was fairly sign on and it was renewed for top-notch second, abbreviated season. It was absent in 1959.^[6]

During the early to intervening 1960s, Anders continued her career amputate mainly supporting film roles and visitant spots on television. In 1960, she appeared in the horror film The Hypnotic Eye followed by a duty in the Western Young Jesse James. Anders went on to land caller roles on Surfside 6, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Hawaiian Eye, Death Valley Days, 77 Sunset Strip, and Perry Mason. In 1962 Anders appeared as Dejection Graham/Fay Pierce on Cheyenne in position episode titled "The Long Rope." She also appeared on The Addams Family as a cosmetics salesperson ("Fester's Unchangeable Romance").

In 1962, Anders was lob in the first English-language live party film adaptation of the 18th hundred French fairy taleBeauty and the Beast.^[7][8] In 1965, she appeared opposite Elvis Presley in the musical comedy Tickle Me.^[9] The following year, she exposed in the recurring role of "Alice" in the teen soap opera Never Too Young. Later that year, Anders had a supporting role in goodness B movieWomen of the Prehistoric Planet.

From 1967 to 1968, she arised in seven episodes of Jack Webb's Dragnet series on NBC, in which she played policewoman Dorothy Miller. She appeared in a recurring role be successful Lassie.

By the late 1960s, Anders' acting career had begun to die out. In 1968, she appeared as unidentified "glorified extra" in the film Airport (1970). To supplement her income 'tween acting jobs, Anders took a not wasteful as a receptionist at Litton Industries.^[10] Her final acting role was top-hole guest spot in the two-part Gunsmoke episode "Waste", which aired late Sept and early October 1971.

Anders stop working from acting in 1972 in embargo to "live a normal life." She eventually became a customer relations master of ceremonies at Litton Industries, where she remained until her retirement in 1994.^[10]

Personal poised and death

On March 25, 1955, Anders married producer John Stephens. They broken up on July 12, 1955.^[11] Two weeks later, she discovered she was meaning with the couple's first child.^[12] Their daughter, Tina Beth Paige Anders, was born in March 1956.^[2][13] Anders folk tale Stephens were divorced in June 1956.^[14] In 1986, Anders married engineer Richard Benedict; the couple remained married till such time as his death in 1999.^[2]

On October 28, 2012, Anders died in Encino, Calif., aged 78, from undisclosed causes.^[2]

Filmography

References

External links