Though typically overshadowed by Hollywood's A-list, there were respectable performances by numerous actors and actresses who never became major film stars. A common occurrence was their transition to the new medium of television, often becoming familiar faces in homes across America. These periodic posts offer insight into their transition.
Merry
Anders: Mary Anderson (1934-2012)
Merry
Anders and her mother moved from Chicago to Los Angeles before her
sixteenth birthday and doors opened for her to become a junior model.
She never got much traction in her acting career—despite an
uncustomary first name change—perhaps being born a decade too late
to compete in a wardrobe full of attractive mid-century blondes. Her
acting was adequate though her roles were not. Anders made her film
debut in 1951 for 20th Century Fox films appearing in several
uncredited small and supporting roles. She was indistinguishable as
one of the fashion models in the film, How to Marry A Millionaire
(1953) opposite the high profiles of Marilyn Monroe, Betty Grable and
Lauren Bacall. She played a college girl in the film Titanic (1953)
and appeared briefly in Three Coins in The Fountain (1954). Also that
same year she was overpowered in another forgotten role for the
comedy, Phffft (1954). Perhaps not knowing—or caring—what to do
with her, Fox studios dropped her in 1954. Larger roles awaited her
in the television universe.
Anders
was a regular cast member of The Stu Erwin Show (1954-55) and the
lead role in It’s Always Jan (1955-56). She landed a lead role in
the NTA Film Network and syndicated TV sitcom, How to Marry a
Millionaire (1957-59) co-starring, Barbara Eden and Lori Nelson.
Anders appeared on several episodes of the Warner Bros. westerns,
Cheyenne and Maverick. Also for Warner’s, 77 Sunset Strip provided
numerous appearances during its entire run. Finally, in seven
episodes she played Policewoman, Dorothy Miller, on Dragnet 1967.
Producer and star, Jack Webb, had her wear a brunette wig suggesting
that it made her look more serious. Someone should have advised the
same for Heather Locklear of T.J. Hooker fame, though hair color was
not her only believability problem.
Note:
Wanting to live a normal life with a steady paycheck, Anders
eventually became a successful customer relations coordinator at
Litton Industries, where she remained until her retirement in 1994.
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