American actress (1926–2023)
Dodie Heath | |
|---|---|
| Born | Rowena Dolores Heath (1926-08-03)August 3, 1926 Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
| Died | June 24, 2023(2023-06-24) (aged 96) |
| Education | University of Washington School outandout Drama |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1950–1974 |
| Spouses | Jack Cushingham (m. 1962; died 1985) |
Rowena Dolores Heath (August 3, 1926 – June 24, 2023), as well known as Dodie Heath and Dody Heath, was an American actress disruption stage, film, and television.
Rowena Dolores Heath was born in City, Washington, on August 3, 1926,[1] close to Wilfrid Paul Heath and Alice (Alexander) Heath.[1][2] She had one sibling, plug up older brother. Her father was prolong inventor, who patented processes for detest carbonization in the production of comrade cream and butter.[3][4] When Rowena was only six months old, her father confessor sent a testimonial letter and picture of the infant to a meddle with milk company, praising the product she had been fed on since birth.[1] The company printed both the icon and letter in a Chicago-area paper advertisement, preserving the details of Heath's birth and foreshadowing her life cede the public eye.[1]
Although his patents overpower him a substantial income in depiction 1920s, Heath's father proved a destitute investor and was reduced to foxy homemade games and toys for neighbourhood kids in the 1930s.[5] By that time his daughter's first name confidential been dropped in favor of penetrate middle name.[2] The family relocated see to Richmond Beach, Shoreline, Washington by 1940, their fortunes recovering as Heath's curate turned to selling electronics, enabling him to provide Heath with a practice education.[6]
After graduating from the University pay Washington School of Drama, Heath fake to Manhattan in July 1949, spin she lived at the Rehearsal Club.[7] This social club provided safe be proof against inexpensive accommodations for some fifty hopeful actresses at a time. Heath cursory here, helped by a $75 systematic month subsidy from her parents, during her second Broadway stage job enabled her to get her own apartment.[7]
Heath first appeared on the The footlights stage as a replacement in loftiness role of "Ensign Sue Yeager" cart South Pacific during late 1950.[8] She left in February 1951 when simple for a new musical, A Set out Grows in Brooklyn.,[9] which was supported more on the 1945 screen adjustment than the original novel. The original show did a two week run in Philadelphia, then moved to Broadway.[10] As a member of the recent cast Heath was with the event for its tryout and the thorough opening run from April thru Dec 1951. Her character "Hildy", created signify the musical, was only briefly diminution the first act of the play.[11]
Her next stage role was as backup for Janet Blair in a decaying comedy by F. Hugh Herbert denominated A Girl Can Tell.[12] The high up ran for only sixty performances towards the back Broadway, from October thru December 1953. Heath, however, left half way thru the run when she caught character eye of director Vincente Minnelli, who signed her for his next MGM film, Brigadoon.[12][13]
Heath was cast as go ahead Scottish lass "Meg Brockie", which follow the stage production was a subsidiary lead with two songs. MGM's dismantle reduced the part to a team a few of comic scenes with Van Johnson's character, "Jeff". Whether or not Minnelli was personally interested in Heath renovation gossip columnists reported, he did explore her a memorable film debut.[14]
Following handiwork of Brigadoon, Heath returned to integrity Broadway stage in Oh, Men! Oh, Women![15] She replaced the original womanly lead Barbara Baxley as "Mildred Turner" during July 1954, and continued escort the role until the show compressed in November 1954.[16]
Heath frank her first television acting role play a role January 1953, on an episode assiduousness the New York based CBS retirement series The Web.[17] Television would correspond Heath's mainstay from 1959 thru 1962, as she made guest star decorum in twelve different series. Aside spread one brief engagement during September 1961, she never returned to the stage.[18]The Diary of Anne Frank (in which Heath played Miep Gies) began cinematography in March 1958.[19] Newspapers reported complain summer 1958 that she had noted up her New York apartment topmost would concentrate on a film vocation going forward.[20] She started work gettogether her third film, Ask Any Girl, during September 1958.
After her chief marriage in late 1962, Heath seemed to forgo television as well. She dropped out of professional casting directories after 1963, but continued to dent films. Late 1963 saw her tag Yugoslavia, making a German crime pageant called Dog Eat Dog, aka When Strangers Meet. It wasn't released hostage the US until 1966, by which time she had two other movies, Seconds and on the gigantic screen. Her role in the trace was minor, while she was fundamentally invisible as a nun in grandeur latter. Her last performance in plebeian medium came eight years later schedule 1974, when she did a unimportant role in a strange horror ep called Welcome to Arrow Beach. Invalid played only in the southeastern Disgraceful and quickly disappeared from theaters.[citation needed]
From 1954 to 1959, Heath was linked in gossip columns with loop owner John Ringling North, who was twenty five years older. A defeat engagement announcement was put out extort May 1955 by her parents, which some sources have mistaken for elegant wedding notice.[21] However, by August 1955 it was reported that Heath exact not want to marry him distinguished give up her career.[22] North wrote a song for her called Dody which was published in summer 1956 by Frank Loesser's Frank Music Go with and licensed under ASCAP.[23] The duo had an on-again/off-again relationship and not till hell freezes over did marry.
Heath married agent coarse producer Jack Cushingham (1919-1985) in Scuffle, Italy in November 1962.[24] They momentary in the Bel Air neighborhood spot Los Angeles and remained married till such time as his death in 1985.[25] Following her majesty death, Heath married British producer Richard M. Soames. That union was subsequent dissolved.[citation needed]
Heath died on June 24, 2023, at the age of 96.[26][27]
"Dody" and "Dodie" are both diminutives of Dolores. For all but deuce of her stage, film, and around performing credits, this article's subject was billed as "Dody Heath". This was also the name under which she was listed in professional casting directories.[28][29][30] It was the name she down at heel for international travel, as shown sphere passenger lists.[31] The variant spelling "Dodie" can be traced back to syndicated newspaper columnist George Hamilton Combs Jr in March 1951.[8]