Elyse Knox
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Elyse Knox (born December 14, 1917) is an American actress and the daughter of United States Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox.
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[edit] Early life
Born in Hartford, Connecticut, she studied at the Traphagen School of Fashion in Manhattan then embarked on a career in fashion design. Her good looks enabled her to model some of her own creations for Vogue magazine that led to a contract offer from Twentieth Century Fox film studio in 1937.
[edit] Career
Knox performed mainly in minor or secondary roles until 1942 when she had a leading role with Lon Chaney, Jr. in The Mummy's Tomb, one of the series of "Mummy” horror films made by Universal Studios. Knox appeared as herself in the Universal Studios 1944 production "Follow the Boys," one of the World War II morale-booster films made for both the soldiers serving overseas as well as civilians at home. Knox also was a pin up girl during the War, appearing in such magazines as YANK, a weekly put out by the United States Military.
In late 1945, she was signed by Monogram Pictures to portray Anne Howe, the love interest of fictional boxer Joe Palooka in Joe Palooka, Champ. Based on the very popular comic strip, the instant success of the May 1946 film led to Elyse Knox appearing in another five Joe Palooka productions. After acting in thirty-nine films, Elyse Knox retired in 1949 following her performance in the musical film There's a Girl in My Heart.
[edit] Personal life
Knox continued to do modeling work for print ads and while appearing on the Bing Crosby radio show she met football star and decorated soldier Tom Harmon. They married in 1944 and remained together until his death in 1990. They are the parents of:
- Kristin Harmon (b.1945), actress and painter who at seventeen married recording artist Ricky Nelson;
- Kelly Harmon (b. 1948), who modeled and also acted in film and television (TJ Hooker) and was once married to automaker John DeLorean;
- Mark Harmon (b.1951), film and television actor.
