Born 1934 in Chicago, American actress and model Merry Anders made her film debut in the 1951 musical Golden Girl. In 1957, she had a much-publicized leading role in Paramount Pictures film Hear Me Good, opposite Hal March. She starred in four low-budget films that same year, The Dalton Girls, Calypso Heat Wave, The Night Runner and Escape from San Quentin.
During the early to mid 1960s, Anders continued her career with mainly supporting film roles and guest spots on television. In 1962, she was cast in the first English-language live action film adaptation of the 18th century French fairy tale Beauty and the Beast. In 1965, she appeared opposite Elvis Presley in the musical comedy Tickle Me. The following year, she appeared in the recurring role of “Alice” in the teen soap opera Never Too Young. Later that year, Anders had a supporting role in the B movie Women of the Prehistoric Planet.
By the late 1960s, Anders’ acting career had begun to wane. To supplement her income between acting jobs, Anders took a job as a receptionist at Litton Industries. Her final acting role was a guest spot in the two part Gunsmoke episode “Waste”, which aired late September and early October 1971.
Anders retired from acting in 1972 in order to “live a normal life.” She eventually became a customer relations coordinator at Litton Industries, where she remained until her retirement in 1994. She died in Encino, California in 2012, aged 78.
Take a look at these fabulous photos to see the beauty of a young Merry Anders in the 1950s and 1960s.
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