- Born
- Died
- Birth nameLola Jean Albright
- Nickname
- Lola Deem
- Height5′ 5″ (1.65 m)
- Lola Jean Albright was born on July 20, 1924 in Akron, Ohio, the daughter of John Paul Albright and Marion Harvey, both of whom were gospel singers. She worked as a model before moving to Hollywood in the mid-1940s, studied piano for 20 years and worked as a receptionist at radio station WAKR in Akron. Considered one of the most stylish, sultriest and beautiful actresses in Hollywood, with one of the throatiest, smokiest and most distinctive voices in the business, she starred with Kirk Douglas in the film noir Champion (1949). From 1958 to 1961, she played sultry nightclub singer Edie Hart on the popular television series Peter Gunn (1958).
She also made guest appearances on the television series Gunsmoke (1955), Bonanza (1959), Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955), The Beverly Hillbillies (1962) and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1964). She played Constance McKenzie on the night-time soap opera Peyton Place (1964) after Dorothy Malone became sick and could no longer play the role. She received critical acclaim for her performances in A Cold Wind in August (1961), Joy House (1964) and How I Spent My Summer Vacation (1967). Retired from acting, Lola Albright died at age 92 on March 23, 2017 in Toluca Lake, California.- IMDb Mini Biography By: Tim Campbell <tcampbel@po5.ahcpr>
- SpousesBill Chadney(May 20, 1961 - 1975) (divorced)Jack Carson(August 1, 1952 - November 10, 1958) (divorced)Warren Deem(December 1943 - 1949) (divorced)
- ChildrenNo Children
- ParentsJohn Paul AlbrightMarion Alma Albright
- Her popularity as sultry, dusky-voiced nightclub singer Edie Hart on the crime drama television series Peter Gunn (1958) inspired two music albums: "Lola Wants You" (1957) and "Dreamsville" (1959).
- Inherited her singing talents from her parents, both evangelistic singers; started in films as an MGM singing extra, in The Pirate (1948), Easter Parade (1948) and The Unfinished Dance (1947).
- Had seven stepchildren, but never had any children of her own.
- Attended and graduated from West High School in Akron, Ohio (1942), and was voted "Best Looking Girl".
- After graduating from high school, she got a job as a receptionist at WAKR radio in Akron. She left there to get a job at Cleveland's WTAM, where she married announcer Warren Deem. After her divorce a few years later, she moved to Chicago to be a model and was discovered by a talent scout.
- [on her privacy] I gave an interview . . . it was the first interview I ever gave, many, many, many years ago. More than I care to think. And I rue the day because it was on the front page, above the fold. I didn't understand at the time how an interviewer could get at you. She would be so persuasive, and so sweet and so kind and make you say things you never should have said.
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