Trivia

In 1965, while working on Peyton Place (1964), she suffered a near-fatal illness that included a pulmonary embolism, blood clots on both lungs, an enlarged heart and pneumonia. Upon fully recuperating, she returned to the series after being temporarily replaced by Lola Albright.

She became embroiled in heavy litigation and a messy divorce action with husband Jacques Bergerac, whom she accused of marrying famous women only to promote his career. Bergerac was previously married to Ginger Rogers.

Passed away on 1/19/2018, but was not remembered in the 90th Academy Awards In Memoriam segment, despite being a Best Supporting Actress Oscar winner.

Was one of five children. Two older sisters died very young of complications from polio, and another younger brother was struck and killed by lightning while on a Dallas golf course. When she won the Oscar for Écrit sur du vent (1956), she dedicated the award to her late brother.

Often complained that her character on Peyton Place (1964) was not given enough to do and that Mia Farrow's character was monopolizing the storylines. She was quoted as saying, "I live much more drama and tragedy in my own life than I ever do on 'Peyton Place'!" She was written out of the show in 1968 and sued 20th Century-Fox for breach of contract. The case was settled out of court. Ironically, she had won the Golden Apple Award as "Most Cooperative Actress" in 1965.

At the time of her death, she had been the earliest-born surviving Oscar winner in the Best Supporting Actress category and despite this she was omitted from the 2018 Oscars telecast "In Memoriam" tribute. To date, she is the only actor or actress to have ever won an Oscar who was left out of the yearly memorial tribute since it was introduced in 1994.

Was approached by the producers of Dallas (1978) to play the role of Miss Ellie Ewing, when Barbara Bel Geddes vacated the part in 1984, but she declined.

Former beauty contest winner before coming to Hollywood.

Retired from acting in 1992 after 50 years. As of 2012, she was living in Dallas, TX.

Was president of her class for six years and recipient of five college scholarships.

Best known by the public for her starring role as Constance MacKenzie on Peyton Place (1964).

She turned blonde for Un amour pas comme les autres (1954) and remained that way for the rest of her career except for Le cri de la victoire (1955) and Une femme marquée (1958).

Gave birth to her first child at age 35, daughter Mimi Esther Therese Bergerac, on April 3, 1960. Child's father is her first husband, Jacques Bergerac.

Awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1716 Vine St. on 2/8/60.

Was the 45th actress to receive an Academy Award; she won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Écrit sur du vent (1956) at The 29th Annual Academy Awards (1957) on March 27, 1957.

Has played Robert Keith's character's daughter twice on film: in Un amour pas comme les autres (1954) and Écrit sur du vent (1956).

Acting mentor and friends of: Ryan O'Neal and Barbara Parkins.

Gave birth to her second child at age 37, daughter Diane Alice Bergerac on February 20, 1962. Child's father is her first husband, Jacques Bergerac.

On 8/10/2018 she was honored with a day of her film work during the TCM Summer Under The Stars.

Had her first date with Jacques Bergerac at a Sophie Tucker show in March 1958. They got engaged in May 1959, married in June 1959, before separating in March 1963. Their divorce was finalized in December 1964.

During her time in Hollywood, she was an active member of the Hollywood Republican Committee.

Prior to acting she was an airline hostess and an insurance agent.

Studied Drama at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX.

Despite playing the oldest sister of Doris Day and Elisabeth Fraser in Un amour pas comme les autres (1954), Malone was actually the youngest of the three actresses.

Grandmother of Mary (b. 4/23/90), John (b. 4/23/90), Lauren (b. 6/20/92) and William Thompson (b. 8/30/95), via daughter Diane. They were all born in Dallas, TX.

Sister of Patsy Jane (1928936), Joan Esther (1931-36), Robert Bruce (b. 1933) and George William Maloney (1937-54). All her siblings were born in Dallas, TX.

Daughter of Robert Ignatius Maloney (1895-1985), born in Kansas, and Esther Emma Smith (1902-83), born in Maryland.

Mother-in-law of William Vanderstraaten (husband of Mimi since 1989) and John Thompson (husband of Diane since 1986).

Grandmother of Emily (b. 12/16/91) and Willem Vanderstraaten (b. 5/16/94), via daughter Mimi. They were both born in Dallas, TX.

Though many other sources list 1/30/25 as her date of birth, her old census and birth records indicate she was born on 1/29/24.

She and co-star from Peyton Place (1964) Tim O'Connor, both died within three months of each other in 2018.

Buried at Calvary Hill Cemetery and Mausoleum in Dallas, TX.

Unlike other prominent Hollywood actresses, she did not have an "official Italian voice", she was often dubbed by Renata Marini, Rosetta Calavetta and Dhia Cristiani. Lydia Simoneschi, Micaela Giustiniani and Clelia Bernacchi lent their voice to her at some point as well.