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Father a trumpeter with bands such as Paul Whiteman and Benny Goodman, mother a former Ziegfeld Follies dancer. Studied ballet, music, acting. Won a "Miss Stardust" beauty contest in 1949, danced with the Copacabana chorus line and was making bit appearances on television while still in highschool. At age 17, landed the part of Princess Summerfall Winterspring on the "Puppet Playhouse" (1947) childrens` TV show, where she stayed for two years before resigning. Returned to stage work and was "rediscovered" in a play in 1956, "Pipe Dream", which landed her on the cover of "Life" magazine. She made two films, the last as Elvis Presley`s co-star, Jailhouse Rock. Three days after shooting completed, she and her second husband were driving home from LA to New York when he swerved to avoid hitting a truck and collided with another; he died that evening, she the following morning of injuries sustained. Buried in Hartsdale, New York. No children by either marriage.