Vera Ralston
Vera Ralston was a Czech-American figure skater and actress. Born Věra Helena Hrubá on July 12, 1920 (or possibly 1919) in Czechoslovakia, she gained fame as a competitive figure skater before transitioning into a Hollywood film career.
Skating Career
Before moving to the U.S., she competed in international figure skating events, including the 1936 Winter Olympics. Though she did not win any medals, she was a national champion in Czechoslovakia. She reportedly fled her home country due to the Nazi occupation.
Hollywood Career
Ralston was discovered by Republic Pictures head Herbert J. Yates, who later became her husband. She starred in many films throughout the 1940s and 1950s, often appearing in westerns and adventure films produced by Republic. Some of her notable films include:
- Storm Over Lisbon (1944)
- Dakota (1945) (with John Wayne)
- Angel on the Amazon (1948)
- The Fighting Kentuckian (1949) (again with John Wayne)
- Fair Wind to Java (1953)
Despite being heavily promoted by Republic Pictures, her acting skills were often criticized, and her career declined as Republic Pictures faded in the late 1950s.
Later Life & Death
After Republic Pictures shut down, she retired from the film industry. She remained married to Yates until his death in 1966 and later lived a quiet life out of the spotlight. Vera Ralston passed away on February 9, 2003, in California.
Ralston has a star on Walk of Fame at 1752 Vine Street
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