Post by Kaz ~:~ on Dec 10, 2016 18:49:27 GMT -6
Carolyn Jones Biography
Date of Birth 28 April 1930, Amarillo, Texas, USA
Date of Death 3 August 1983, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA (colon cancer)
Birth Name Carolyn Sue Jones
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Bio:
Carolyn Jones was born April 28, 1930, in Amarillo, Texas. Her mother was Jeannette and her sister was Bette (Moriarty). She was an imaginative child, much like her mother. In 1934, her father abandoned the family and her mother moved them in with her parents, also in Amarillo. As a child Carolyn suffered from severe asthma. Although she loved movies, she was often too sick to attend, so she listened to her favorites, Danny Kaye and Spike Jones and read as many movie fan magazines as she could. She dreamed of attending the famed Pasadena Playhouse and received many awards at school for speech, poetry, and dramatics. In 1947, she was accepted as a student at the Pasadena Playhouse, and her grandfather agreed to pay for her classes. She worked in summer stock to supplement her income, graduating in 1950. She gave herself a complete head-to-toe makeover, including painful cosmetic nose surgery to make herself ready for movie roles. Working as an understudy at the Players Ring Theater, she stepped in when the star left to get married. She was seen by a talent scout from Paramount and given a screen test, which went well. She made her first appearance in The Turning Point (1952). She did some other work during her 6-month contract, but when it ended, Paramount, suffering from television's impact, let it lapse. She quipped, "They let me and 16 secretaries go!"
She started working in television but kept busy on stage as well. There she met Aaron Spelling, and they became a couple. She made a breakthrough in the 3-D movie House of Wax (1953) and garnered excellent reviews. Aaron was still struggling, so he felt he wasn't able to propose to Carolyn; she finally proposed to him. They were married in April 1953. Neither was earning much, but they really enjoyed each other and their life. Many saw them as an ideal couple. Carolyn decided against children, since she felt she could not juggle the demands of both a career and a family.
Columbia Pictures saw her and wanted to test her for the part of prostitute Alma Burke in From Here to Eternity (1953), but she got extremely sick with pneumonia and the part went to Donna Reed instead. She did, however, achieve success in the sci-fi classic Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956), a subtle allegory of the times (McCarthyism). Aaron had little success as an actor and Carolyn pushed him to become a writer, even threatening to leave him. She constantly promoted his scripts whenever she could and he was ultimately hired by Dick Powell. Carolyn meanwhile was successful once more in The Bachelor Party (1957) (famous line, "Just say you love me--you don't have to mean it!"). For this role, she surprised cast members by dying her hair black and cutting it short. This stunning look served her well for a number of roles. For her eight minutes on screen, she received glowing reviews and was nominated for an Academy Award but lost. She followed this with an impressive appearance in King Creole (1958), generally regarded as Elvis Presley's best film. She then gave arguably her best performance ever in Career (1959), but the film was not commercially successful. She played a serious role in this, leaving the kooky role she might have played to Shirley MacLaine.
As Aaron's career soared, the marriage started to fail. They separated in October 1963 and were amicably divorced in August 1964, with Carolyn asking for no alimony. They remained friends. She worked at various roles until she got the part for which she will best be remembered, that of Morticia Addams in The Addams Family (1964). She spent two years in this role. Her costume was designed to copy the cartoon drawings and no doubt inspired such imitators as Cassandra Peterson (Elvira, Mistress of the Dark). The show went head-to-head with The Munsters (1964) and Bewitched (1964). The quite blatant sexual chemistry between Morticia and her husband Gomez (John Astin was shocking for the time, perhaps only matched by the sexuality displayed in "Bachelor Party" and "King Creole."
The show was a big hit and she received all the fame she had craved. However, the network decided to cancel the show, despite its success, after only two years. Typecast as Morticia but without the income that a few more years would have provided, she found life difficult and roles few. While acting on the road, she married her voice coach, Herbert Greene, a well-known and respected Broadway conductor and musical director, and they moved together to Palm Springs, California. After seven years, she left him and returned to Hollywood, determined to try to restart her career. She was surprisingly successful and performed in several shows, including an episode of Fantasy Island (1977) in 1978, a show on which Aaron was the producer. She played Myrna Clegg on the soap Capitol (1982) from 1982 to 1983, despite having been diagnosed with colon cancer in 1981. She had aggressive treatment for the cancer, but it returned during her time on the show and she was told it was terminal.
She played some scenes despite being confined to a wheelchair and working in great pain. Although they knew she was dying, she married her boyfriend of five years, Peter Bailey-Britton, in September 1982. She died on August 3, 1983. Carolyn told her sister that she wanted her epitaph to be "She gave joy to the world." She certainly had many friends who loved her greatly, and many fans who enjoyed her wonderful performances.
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Spouses
Peter Bailey-Britton (25 September 1982 - 3 August 1983) (her death)
Herbert Greene (19 December 1968 - 5 April 1977) (divorced)
Aaron Spelling (10 April 1953 - 6 August 1965) (divorced)
Donald G. Donaldson (19 August 1950 - 195?) (divorced)
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Film / TV :
1982 Capitol (TV Series)
- Episode #1.19 (1982) ... Myrna Clegg
- Episode #1.18 (1982) ... Myrna Clegg
- Episode #1.17 (1982) ... Myrna Clegg
- Episode #1.16 (1982) ... Myrna Clegg
- Episode #1.15 (1982) ... Myrna Clegg
8 episodes
1979-1982 Fantasy Island (TV Series)
- Daddy's Little Girl/The Whistle (1982) ... Ellie Ackland
- The Chateau/White Lightning (1981) ... Clora McAllister
- With Affection, Jack the Ripper/Gigolo (1980) ... Jessie DeWinter
- Tattoo's Romance/Handy Man (1979) ... Ellie Simpson
1981 Midnight Lace (TV Movie)
Bernadette Chance
1977-1981 Quincy M.E. (TV Series)
- Stain of Guilt (1981) ... Victoria Sawyer
- Last of the Dinosaurs (1977) ... Sybil Presstin
- Valleyview (1977) ... Nurse Barbara Grayson
1980 The Dream Merchants (TV Series)
- Episode #1.2 (1980) ... Vera
- Episode #1.1 (1980) ... Vera
1979 The Love Boat (TV Series)
- Cindy/Play by Play/What's a Brother For? (1979) ... Margaret Jerome
1979 Good Luck, Miss Wyckoff
Beth
1979 The French Atlantic Affair (TV Mini-Series)
- Episode #1.2 (1979) ... Peg
- Episode #1.1 (1979) ... Peg
- Episode #1.3 ... Peg
1977 Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels (TV Series)
- The Mystery Mansion Mix-Up (1977) ... Additional Voices
1977 Halloween with the New Addams Family (TV Movie)
Morticia Addams / Ophelia Frump
1976-1977 Wonder Woman (TV Series)
- Wonder Woman in Hollywood (1977) ... Queen Hippolyta
- The Feminum Mystique: Part 2 (1976) ... Queen Hippolyta
- The Feminum Mystique: Part 1 (1976) ... Queen Hippolyta
1977 Little Ladies of the Night (TV Movie)
Marilyn Atkins
1977 Roots (TV Mini-Series)
- Part IV (1977) ... Mrs. Moore
- Part VIII (1977) ... Mrs. Moore
- Part VII (1977) ... Mrs. Moore
1976 Eaten Alive
Miss Hattie
1976 Ellery Queen (TV Series)
- The Adventure of the Hardhearted Huckster (1976) ... Rita Radcliffe
1975 Kolchak: The Night Stalker (TV Series)
- Demon in Lace (1975) ... The Registrar
1974 Ironside (TV Series)
- Raise the Devil: Part 2 (1974) ... Justine Cross
- Raise the Devil: Part 1 (1974) ... Justine Cross
1973 The New Perry Mason (TV Series)
- The Case of the Frenzied Feminist (1973) ... Marian Ryan
1972 Circle of Fear (TV Series)
- The Summer House (1972) ... Martha Alcott
1972 The New Scooby-Doo Movies (TV Series)
- Wednesday Is Missing (1972) ... Morticia Addams (voice)
1971 Dan August (TV Series)
- The Assassin (1971)
1971 The Virginian (TV Series)
- The Legacy of Spencer Flats (1971) ... Annie Spencer
1970 The Name of the Game (TV Series)
- Why I Blew Up Dakota (1970) ... Lydia Mulholland
1969-1970 Love, American Style (TV Series)
Vera (segment "Love and the Geisha")
- Love and the Minister/Love and the Geisha/Love and the Singles Apartment (1970) ... Vera (segment "Love and the Geisha")
- Love and Take Me Along/Love and the Advice-Givers/Love and the Geisha (1969) ... Vera (segment "Love and the Geisha")
1969 Color Me Dead
Paula Gibson
1969 Mod Squad (TV Series)
- Lisa (1969) ... Lisa Whittaker / Ginny
1969 Bracken's World (TV Series)
- King David (1969) ... Paula Shannon
1969 Heaven with a Gun
Madge McCloud
1967 The Danny Thomas Hour (TV Series)
- Fame Is a Four-Letter Word (1967) ... Stacey McCall
1967 Rango (TV Series)
- What's a Nice Girl Like You Doing Holding Up a Place Like This? (1967)
1966-1967 Batman (TV Series)
- Penguin's Disastrous End (1967) ... Marsha, Queen of Diamonds
- Penguin Sets a Trend (1967) ... Marsha, Queen of Diamonds
- Penguin Is a Girl's Best Friend (1967) ... Marsha, Queen of Diamonds
- Marsha's Scheme of Diamonds (1966) ... Marsha, Queen of Diamonds
- Marsha, Queen of Diamonds (1966) ... Marsha, Queen of Diamonds
1964-1966 The Addams Family (TV Series)
Morticia Addams / Ophelia Frump / Lady Fingers
- Ophelia's Career (1966) ... Morticia Addams / Ophelia Frump
- Lurch's Grand Romance (1966) ... Morticia Addams
- The Addams Policy (1966) ... Morticia Addams
- Lurch's Little Helper (1966) ... Morticia Addams
- Cat Addams (1966) ... Morticia Addams
64 episodes
1964 The DuPont Show of the Week (TV Series)
- Jeremy Rabbitt - The Secret Avenger (1964) ... Jo Jo
1963-1964 Burke's Law (TV Series)
- Who Killed Madison Cooper? (1964) ... Carole Durand
- Who Killed Sweet Betsy? (1963) ... Betsy Richards / Meredith Richards / Jane Richards / ...
1957-1963 Wagon Train (TV Series)
- The Molly Kincaid Story (1963) ... Molly Kincaid
- The Jenna Douglas Story (1961) ... Jenna Douglas
- The John Cameron Story (1957) ... Julie Cameron
1963 A Ticklish Affair
Tandy Martin
1962 How the West Was Won
Julie Rawlings
1961-1962 The Dick Powell Theatre (TV Series)
- The Sea Witch (1962) ... Cleo Plowright
- Goodbye, Hannah (1961) ... Hannah Cole
- Who Killed Julie Greer? (1961) ... Julie Greer
1962 Dr. Kildare (TV Series)
- The Mask Makers (1962) ... Evy Schaller
1962 The Lloyd Bridges Show (TV Series)
- Just Married (1962) ... Cathy
1962 Frontier Circus (TV Series)
- Stopover in Paradise (1962) ... Amy Tyson
1961 Sail a Crooked Ship
Virginia
1957-1961 Zane Grey Theater (TV Series)
- Blood Red (1961) ... Julie Whiting
- Picture of Sal (1960) ... Sal - Rue Royale Proprietor
- Until the Man Dies (1957) ... Ella Clanton
1960 The DuPont Show with June Allyson (TV Series)
- Love on Credit (1960) ... Lena Murchak
1960 Ice Palace
Bridie Ballantyne
1959 Career
Shirley Drake
1959 A Hole in the Head
Shirl
1959 Last Train from Gun Hill
Linda
1959 The David Niven Show (TV Series)
- Portrait (1959) ... Girl
1959 The Man in the Net
Linda Hamilton
1958 King Creole
Ronnie
1958 Marjorie Morningstar
Marsha Zelenko
1958 Playhouse 90 (TV Series)
- The Last Man (1958) ... Julie
1957 Baby Face Nelson
Sue Nelson
1954-1957 Schlitz Playhouse (TV Series)
- High Barrier (1957)
- The Girl in the Grass (1957) ... Girl
- Boiling Point (1956) ... Sarah
- Prisoner in the Town (1954) ... June Sardo
1957 Johnny Trouble
Julie Horton
1955-1957 The Millionaire (TV Series)
- The Matt Kirby Story (1957) ... Carol Fletcher
- The Emily Short Story (1955) ... Emily Short
1957 Climax! (TV Series)
- The Disappearance of Amanda Hale (1957) ... Helen
1957 General Electric Theater (TV Series)
- The Man Who Inherited Everything (1957) ... Phyllis
1957 Panic! (TV Series)
- The Airline Hostess (1957) ... Janet Hunter
1957 The Bachelor Party
The Existentialist
1957 Wire Service (TV Series)
- Dateline Las Vegas (1957) ... Eve
1955-1957 Jane Wyman Presents The Fireside Theatre (TV Series)
- The Little Black Lie (1957) ... Madeline Novak
- The Key (1955) ... Patient
1956 The Opposite Sex
Pat
1956 State Trooper (TV Series)
- The Paperhanger of Pioche (1956) ... Betty Fowler
1955-1956 The 20th Century-Fox Hour (TV Series)
- The Hefferan Family (1956) ... Rita Kirby
- Cavalcade (1955) ... Marcia Bridges
1956 The Man Who Knew Too Much
Cindy Fontaine
1956 Passport to Danger (TV Series)
- Athens (1956) ... Celia
- Batavia (1956) ... Sally Towne
1956 Invasion of the Body Snatchers
Theodora 'Teddy' Belicec
1956 Star Stage (TV Series)
- Screen Credit (1956)
1955 Alfred Hitchcock Presents (TV Series)
- The Cheney Vase (1955) ... Pamela Waring
1955 My Favorite Husband (TV Series)
- The Painting (1955) ... Janie Cooper
1955 The Tender Trap
Helen
1954-1955 Studio 57 (TV Series)
- Diagnosis of a Selfish Lady (1955) ... The Boy's Mother
- The Black Sheep's Daughter (1955) ... Diana Flagg
- Call from Robert Jest (1955)
- Storm Signal (1954) ... Corinna Rogers
1955 The Seven Year Itch
Miss Finch
1955 The Man Behind the Badge (TV Series)
- The Case of the Desperate Moment (1955) ... Louise
1953-1955 Dragnet (TV Series)
- The Big Note (1955)
- The Big Producer (1954) ... Laura Osborne (as Caroline Jones)
- The Big Frame (1954) ... Marian Fuller (as Caroline Jones)
- The Big Girl (1954) ... Donna Stewart (as Caroline Jones)
- The Big Waiter (1953) ... (as Caroline Jones)
1954-1955 Treasury Men in Action (TV Series)
- The Case of the Black Sheep (1955) ... Eadie Starr
- The Case of the Elder Brother (1955) ... Judy King
- The Case of the Careless Murder (1954)
1955 The Ray Milland Show (TV Series)
- Mr. Sargent and the Lady (1955) ... Risa Powell
1954-1955 City Detective (TV Series)
- A Girl's Best Friend (1955) ... Alene
- On the Record (1954) ... Linda
1954 Four Star Playhouse (TV Series)
- The Answer (1954) ... Dolores
1954 Désirée
Mme. Tallien (uncredited)
1954 Three Hours to Kill
Polly
1954 Shield for Murder
Beth--Girl at Bar
1954 The Pepsi-Cola Playhouse (TV Series)
- Doubled in Danger (1954) ... Karen Brook
- The Silence (1954)
- Account Closed (1954)
1954 The Saracen Blade
Elaine of Siniscola
1954 Lux Video Theatre (TV Series)
- The Outside Witness (1954)
1952-1954 Mr. & Mrs. North (TV Series)
Model for Murder (1954) ... Ellen
- Dead Man's Tale (1952) ... Mrs. Janet Ferber
- A Good Buy (1952) ... Grace Wilson
1954 Make Haste to Live
Mary Rose
1954 The Colgate Comedy Hour (TV Series)
- Episode #4.21 (1954)
1953 Geraldine
Kitty
1953 The Big Heat
Doris
1953 House of Wax
Cathy Gray
1953 The War of the Worlds
Blonde Party Guest (uncredited)
1952 Off Limits
Deborah
1952 Road to Bali
Eunice (uncredited)
1952 The Turning Point
Miss Lillian Smith (uncredited)
1952 Chevron Theatre (TV Series)
- Call the Police (1952)
- An Affair at the Embassy (1952)