Jean Byron

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Jean Byron
Born Imogene Burkhart
December 10, 1925(1925-12-10)
Paducah, Kentucky, USA
Died February 3, 2006 (aged 80)
Mobile, Alabama, USA
Spouse(s) Michael Ansara (1949-1956)

Jean Byron (December 10, 1925 - February 3, 2006) was an American film, television, and stage actress. She is best known for the role of Natalie Lane, Patty Lane's mother in The Patty Duke Show.

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[edit] Biography

Born Imogene Burkhart in Kentucky, she moved to California during World War II and was signed to Columbia Pictures where she chose the name of Jean Byron as a stage moniker. In the 1950s, Byron appeared in several b-movies including The Magnetic Monster and Serpent of the Nile, in addition to guest roles on The Millionaire, The Pepsi-Cola Playhouse, and Science Fiction Theatre. Byron also served as spokeswoman for Revlon and Lux products on The Rosemary Clooney Show.[1]

In 1959, she landed a semi regular spot on The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis playing Dr. Imogene Burkhart (her real name). The following year, she starred in the short lived soap opera, Full Circle. In 1963, she landed the role of Natalie Lane on The Patty Duke Show. After the series ended in 1966, she continued appearing in guest roles on Batman, Marcus Welby, M.D., Maude, and Hotel.[1] Byron's last onscreen role was in the 1999 television movie The Patty Duke Show: Still Rockin' in Brooklyn Heights.

In additional to film and television roles, Byron also worked in regional theater. She portrayed Mama Rose in Gypsy and appeared in a production of Guys and Dolls.[1]

[edit] Personal life

Byron was married to actor Michael Ansara from 1949 to 1956. The couple had no children and Byron never remarried.[2]

[edit] Death

On February 3, 2006, Jean Byron died in Mobile, Alabama of complications following hip replacement surgery.[1]

[edit] Filmography

[edit] Television

[edit] References

[edit] Bibliography

  • Parla, Paul; Charles P. Mitchell (2000). "Jean Byron: The Byronic Heroine", Screen Sirens Scream! Interviews with 20 Actresses from Science Fiction, Horror, Film Noir and Mystery Movies, 1930s to 1960s. Jefferson, N.C. and London: McFarland, pp. 21-34. ISBN 0-7864-0701-8. 

[edit] External links

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