Elaine Riley
| Elaine Riley | |
|---|---|
 Elaine Riley pinup photo, 1944 | |
| Born |
January 15, 1917 East Liverpool, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | December 7, 2015 (aged 98) |
| Occupation | Film actress |
| Years active | 1943-1960 |
Elaine Riley (January 15, 1917 – December 7, 2015) was an American film and television actress.
Early years
The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A.B. Riley,[1] 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.[2] Riley also was a graduate of the Traphagen School of Fashion,[3] 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.[4]
Film
Riley entered Hollywood in 1943 as an extra for the 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.[3]
In 1946, she signed with Paramount Studios, where she became a recurring leading lady for Hopalong Cassidy. She worked with stars such as Charles Laughton, Tim Holt and Gene Autry.[5]
Television
Riley appeared in two episodes of The Lone Ranger.[5] and in The Lineup in an episode broadcast on January 4, 1957.[6] Riley also appeared as Mildred Stone in an episode of The Cisco Kid.
Later years
She 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.[7] She died on December 7, 2015, aged 98.[8]
Personal life
In 1946, Riley married actor Richard Martin, whom she met on the set of a film.[9] Their marriage lasted until his death in 1994.[5]
Selected filmography
- 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
- Sailor Beware (1952) as Commentator
- Steel Town (1952) as Valerie
- The Caddy (1953) as Bathing beauty
- Pardners (1956) as Dance hall girl
References
- ↑ "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.
- 1 2 "Head-Turning (photo caption)" (PDF). Broadcasting. June 21, 1943. p. 22. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
- ↑ "Around Our Town". The Evening Review. December 27, 1940. p. 7. Retrieved July 21, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 3 "Elaine Riley profile". Ladies of the Western: Interview with 25 Actresses from the Silent Era to... 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. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
- ↑ "Richard Martin of Newport, 'Chito' of Films, Dies at 75". Los Angeles Times. September 5, 1994. Retrieved July 21, 2015.