A friend of Tommy Dorsey, she occasionally sang with the big band while she
was filming in New York. She played regional theaters with Shirley Jones and
Virginia Mayo, played Mama Rose in "Gypsy" and sang in "Guys And
Dolls."
The role of Dr. Imogene Burkhart (her real name!) on Dobie Gillis (1959) was
written for her by close friend, playwright Max Shulman.
Married to actor Michael Ansara from 1949-1956. The union was childless and she never remarried.
