Paula Osterman, a Mexican-born beauty, made her motion picture debut in the 1928 silent film White Shadows of the South Seas. She used the more exotic-sounding stage name “Raquel Torres” to match her exotic looks. The picture was the first entry into fully synchronized sound effects and music for MGM Studios. She followed that role with …
Youree Harris was born in Los Angeles. She attended an all-girls boarding school and was married and divorced with two children by the time she was in her middle 20s. An aspiring actress, Youree opened a theatrical production company in Seattle. Her first production was an autobiographical play. A year later, after her production of Supper Club Cafe …
Teenage Patsy Lou Blake did some modeling in her hometown of Dallas, Texas for the Conover Agency. She was spotted by a scout from Warner Brothers Pictures and, soon young Pasty, now using the more sophisticated-sounding name “Patricia Blair,” was cast in the war drama Jump Into Hell in 1955. She had roles in several more films …
By the time Inge Landgut was cast by Fritz Lang in the 1931 classic M, she was already known in her native Germany, as “The German Shirley Temple.” Inge played Elsie Beckmann, a victim of child murderer Hans Beckert, as played by Peter Lorre. The film was a hit and Inge continued her career well into …
During World War II, Noel Neill was one of the most popular pin-up models, second only to Betty Grable. She was a regular player at Monogram Pictures, a movie studio known for producing low-budget pictures. Noel was featured in “wayward teen” films, as well as Westerns and one of the last Charlie Chan mysteries. She …
Richard Bright began his career in the 1960s in live television and on the stage. It was during a stage production in San Francisco that the 28 year old actor and his female co-star were arrested for speaking obscenities and simulating sex acts. With guidance and assistance from the ACLU, a charges were dismissed when …
Zurlon Tipton was a running back for Central Michigan University. Although he was not picked in the 2014 NFL Draft, he was signed by the Indianapolis Colts. He was waived in September 2014, but re-signed to the team’s practice squad. He eventually made the active roster and scored his first touchdown in a game against …
Born in Detroit, the ninth of fifteen children, Florence Ballard was introduced to music by her father. An auto worker by trade, he was an amateur musician and he taught his daughter to sing as he accompanied her on guitar. She and her high school friend Mary Wilson joined up with Betty McGlown and a petite …
Janet Waldo’s big break came courtesy of Bing Crosby. A talent scout brought the perky teen in for an audition for the crooner and she was signed to a contract soon after. Janet played a slew of vivacious teenage girls on a variety of radio shows, including The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet and The …
Dick Kallman got a break when he joined the touring company of How to Succeed in Business (Without Really Trying), replacing Warren Berlinger, Milton Berle’s nephew. After appearing in several more stage productions and guest shots in television shows, Dick landed a starring role in his own sitcom. Hank premiered in 1966. Dick, as the …
