Yvonne De Carlo
Yvonne De Carlo, born on September 1, 1922, was a Canadian-American actress and singer. She was born as Margaret Yvonne Middleton in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. De Carlo began her career in the entertainment industry as a dancer and chorus girl in various musical productions.
In the late 1940s, De Carlo signed a contract with Universal Pictures and began appearing in films. She gained recognition for her versatility as an actress, portraying a wide range of characters in various genres, including comedy, drama, adventure, and musicals.
One of De Carlo's most iconic roles came in 1964 when she portrayed Lily Munster, the matriarch of the Munster family, in the popular television series "The Munsters." The show, which ran for two seasons, became a cult classic and remains a beloved part of television history.
Aside from her television success, De Carlo also made notable contributions to film. In addition to her roles in film noir as previously mentioned, she appeared in movies such as "Salome, Where She Danced" (1945), "Criss Cross" (1949), "The Ten Commandments" (1956), and "McLintock!" (1963). Her performances showcased her talent, charisma, and versatility as an actress.
De Carlo also had a successful singing career and released several albums, displaying her vocal abilities and further showcasing her talent.
Outside of her acting career, De Carlo was known for her humanitarian work. She was involved in various charitable causes, including supporting the United Service Organizations (USO) during World War II and advocating for animal rights.
Yvonne De Carlo passed away on January 8, 2007, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 84. Her contributions to the entertainment industry, both in film and television, have left a lasting legacy. She is remembered as a talented and versatile actress who brought charm, beauty, and depth to her performances.
In the late 1940s, De Carlo signed a contract with Universal Pictures and began appearing in films. She gained recognition for her versatility as an actress, portraying a wide range of characters in various genres, including comedy, drama, adventure, and musicals.
One of De Carlo's most iconic roles came in 1964 when she portrayed Lily Munster, the matriarch of the Munster family, in the popular television series "The Munsters." The show, which ran for two seasons, became a cult classic and remains a beloved part of television history.
Aside from her television success, De Carlo also made notable contributions to film. In addition to her roles in film noir as previously mentioned, she appeared in movies such as "Salome, Where She Danced" (1945), "Criss Cross" (1949), "The Ten Commandments" (1956), and "McLintock!" (1963). Her performances showcased her talent, charisma, and versatility as an actress.
De Carlo also had a successful singing career and released several albums, displaying her vocal abilities and further showcasing her talent.
Outside of her acting career, De Carlo was known for her humanitarian work. She was involved in various charitable causes, including supporting the United Service Organizations (USO) during World War II and advocating for animal rights.
Yvonne De Carlo passed away on January 8, 2007, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 84. Her contributions to the entertainment industry, both in film and television, have left a lasting legacy. She is remembered as a talented and versatile actress who brought charm, beauty, and depth to her performances.
Quotes:
[on Lily Munster] "They told me to play her just like Donna Reed. That sounded strange to me until I tried it. Now it works. She acts just like any housewife. The difference is in her approach to things, as when she tells her little child to go to bed, "And don't forget to close your lid."
[on how Cecil B. DeMille picked her for the role of Sephora in The Ten Commandments (1956)] "I had done a picture at Metro titled Sombrero (1953) which wasn't too much of a hit. But I had portrayed a saintly type of woman similar to what DeMille had in mind for Sephora. He saw the picture, was very much impressed, and promptly said: "You're it.".
[when asked in 1945, "Who else is beautiful, like you, in Hollywood? Really stunning?"] "That's a heck of a question to ask a lady! But if you insist - Merle Oberon and Hedy Lamarr."
- Yvonne De Carlo
Trivia:
Took the role of Lily Munster on The Munsters (1964) to help pay husband Bob Morgan's medical bills. Morgan, an actor and stuntman, had suffered near-fatal injuries while filming How the West Was Won (1962). By her own admission, De Carlo never imagined, at the time, that the show would become such a hit. She also had mixed feelings about the show; she was grateful it returned her to the spotlight but felt its popularity tended to overshadow the rest of her career.
Won second place in the Miss Venice Beach contest of 1940. The prize was a check for $25. Sir Cedric Hardwicke, her future co-star in The Ten Commandments (1956), was one of the judges. This appearance led to her first job as a nightclub dancer and, eventually, to a successful movie career.
Became very good friends with Cecil B. DeMille, her director in The Ten Commandments (1956). He admired her acting talent and beauty, and she had always wanted to star in one of his films. DeMille cast her as the female lead in his next production, The Buccaneer (1958), but the filming interfered with the pregnancy with her second child and the part was recast. They remained friends and spoke highly of each other in interviews and their autobiographies.
She chose her own stage name by using her middle name and her mother's maiden name of De Carlo. She later explained that she changed her name because she did not look like the all-American girl next door.
Her favorite actress was Vivien Leigh. She watched all of Leigh's films.
Won second place in the Miss Venice Beach contest of 1940. The prize was a check for $25. Sir Cedric Hardwicke, her future co-star in The Ten Commandments (1956), was one of the judges. This appearance led to her first job as a nightclub dancer and, eventually, to a successful movie career.
Became very good friends with Cecil B. DeMille, her director in The Ten Commandments (1956). He admired her acting talent and beauty, and she had always wanted to star in one of his films. DeMille cast her as the female lead in his next production, The Buccaneer (1958), but the filming interfered with the pregnancy with her second child and the part was recast. They remained friends and spoke highly of each other in interviews and their autobiographies.
She chose her own stage name by using her middle name and her mother's maiden name of De Carlo. She later explained that she changed her name because she did not look like the all-American girl next door.
Her favorite actress was Vivien Leigh. She watched all of Leigh's films.
