Elaine Riley (January 15, 1917 – December 7, 2015) was an American film and television actress.
Elaine Riley | |
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![]() Elaine Riley pinup photo, 1944 | |
Born | East Liverpool, Ohio, U.S. | January 15, 1917
Died | December 7, 2015 | (aged 98)
Occupation | Film actress |
Years active | 1943–1960 |
Spouse | Richard Martin (1946-1994) (his death)[1] |
Early years
editThe daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A.B. Riley,[2] Riley was born in East Liverpool, Ohio, on January 15, 1917. She won the Miss East Liverpool beauty title and was runner-up for the Miss Ohio title in 1937.[3] Riley also was a graduate of the Traphagen School of Fashion,[4] and was a model for Powers and Hattie Carnegie model in New York at the age of 18.
Using the name Elaine Gray, Riley sang with a dance-music orchestra in several cities, including Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[5]
Film
editRiley entered Hollywood in 1943 as an extra for RKO Pictures, debuting in Higher and Higher. She left her job as secretary to the managing director of WINS radio in New York City to pursue her career in movies.[4]
In 1946, she signed with Paramount Pictures, where she became a recurring leading lady for Hopalong Cassidy. She worked with stars such as William Boyd, Charles Laughton, Tim Holt and Gene Autry.[6]
Television
editRiley appeared in two episodes of The Lone Ranger[6] and in The Lineup in an episode broadcast on January 4, 1957.[7] Riley also appeared as Mildred Stone in an episode of The Cisco Kid. She also appeared in Highway Patrol, Episode 101, "Reformation". She appeared in a Superman episode "The Atomic Captive" in 1958.
Later years
editShe retired from acting in 1960, having more than 70 credits to her name. In 2004, Elaine Riley won the Golden Boot Awards, which honour actors, actresses, and crew members who have made significant contributions to the genre of Western television and movies.[8] She died on December 7, 2015, aged 98.[where?][9]
Personal life
editIn 1946, Riley married actor Richard Martin, whom she met on the set of a film.[10] Their marriage lasted until his death in 1994.[6]
Selected filmography
edit- Gildersleeve on Broadway (1943) as Model
- Higher and Higher (1944) as Bridesmaid
- Show Business (1944) as Chorine
- Step Lively (1944) as Lois
- Two O'Clock Courage (1945) as Cigarette girl
- You Came Along (1945) as Showgirl
- The Stork Club (1945) as Deb
- Monsieur Beaucaire (1946) (uncredited)
- Variety Girl (1947) as Cashier
- The Big Clock (1948) as Lily Gold
- Beyond Glory (1948) as Nurse
- False Paradise (1948) as Anne Larson
- Every Girl Should Be Married (1948) as Young lady
- Alias Nick Beal (1949) as Telephone girl
- The Great Lover (1950) as Passenger
- Rider from Tucson (1950) as Jane Whipple
- Where Danger Lives (1950) as Nurse Bates
- The Hills of Utah (1951) as Karen McQueen
- Sailor Beware (1952) as Commentator
- Steel Town (1952) as Valerie
- The Caddy (1953) as Bathing beauty
- Pardners (1956) as Dance hall girl
- Wanted Dead or Alive (1960) as Panama in "The Partners" episode
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Elaine Riley, actress - obituary".
- ^ "Elaine Riley Co-Stars With 'Gildersleeve' In New Comedy By RKO". The Evening Review. April 15, 1944. p. 6. Retrieved July 21, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Cleveland Girl is 'Miss Ohio'". The Evening Independent. August 26, 1937. p. 1. Retrieved July 21, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Head-Turning (photo caption)" (PDF). Broadcasting. June 21, 1943. p. 22. Retrieved July 21, 2015.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Around Our Town". The Evening Review. December 27, 1940. p. 7. Retrieved July 21, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c Elaine Riley profile. Ladies of the Western: Interview with 25 Actresses from the Silent Era to... October 30, 2009. ISBN 9780786439386. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
- ^ "Former City Girl Appears In TV Drama". The Evening Review. January 5, 1957. p. 10. Retrieved July 21, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Elaine Riley, actress". East Liverpool Historical Society. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
- ^ "ELAINE RILEY (1917- 2015)". Legacy. December 28, 2015. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
- ^ "Richard Martin of Newport, 'Chito' of Films, Dies at 75". Los Angeles Times. September 5, 1994. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
External links
edit- Elaine Riley at IMDb