Actress. She will be best remembered for her origination of the part of Laurey in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s long-running Broadway production of “Oklahoma!” (1943 to 1948). Her acting roots professionally began at the age of five with a part in the “Our Gang” film series. Her association with Rodgers and Hammerstein began with the musical “Sunny River” (1941 to 1942), followed by her being cast as Laurey in the groundbreaking “Oklahoma!” which was of note as the first staged production to be recorded in an original cast album. She went onto roles in “Marinka” (1945), “Are You With It?” (1945 to 1946) and the legendary George Abbott’s “High Button Shoes” (1947 to 1949), in which she served as a replacement. During the early 1950s, she appeared on television in the series “Kraft Theatre” and found parts in the films “The Model and the Marriage Broker” (1951) and “Lovely to Look at” (1952), prior to retiring from show business to raise her family. In 2001, she returned to the Broadway stage in the musical revival of “Follies”. In addition, she served as a vocal coach. (bio by: C.S.)