Helene Stanton: Difference between revisions
(Created page with "{{Header|Helene Stanton 07/25}}{{DEFAULTSORT:Stanton, Helene}} {{Header| 07/25}}{{DEFAULTSORT:}} {{Infobox wstar | color = mistyrose | name = Helene Stanton | image = Helene_Stanton_Heavenly_Heavy_1954.jpg | caption = Photo of Helene Stanton 'Heavenly Heavy' in 1954 | birth_name = Eleanor Mae Stansbury | birth_date = {{dob|1925|11|4|mf=y}} | birth_place = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | death_date = {{dod|2017|6|7|1925|11|4|mf=y}} |...") |
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'''Helene Stanton''' (born Eleanor Mae Stansbury, {{star}}November 4, 1925 – {{dag}}June 7, 2017) was an American singer and actress. Her career began as an opera singer for the Cosmopolitan Opera Company in Philadelphia, before moving to Hollywood, where she became a singer of popular music. In 1949, she married silent film actor Ken Harlan, but the marriage broke down and they divorced four years later in 1953. | '''Helene Stanton''' (born Eleanor Mae Stansbury, {{star}}November 4, 1925 – {{dag}}June 7, 2017) was an American singer and actress. Her career began as an opera singer for the Cosmopolitan Opera Company in Philadelphia, before moving to Hollywood, where she became a singer of popular music. In 1949, she married silent film actor Ken Harlan, but the marriage broke down and they divorced four years later in 1953. | ||
After being spotted in Las Vegas and offered a part in the film The Big Combo, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career, starring in films alongside actors such as Johnny Weissmuller, Arthur Franz and Tom Drake. After several film roles during 1955 and starring in a silent role alongside comic Ben Blue in 1956, she retired from acting in 1957. | After being spotted in Las Vegas and offered a part in the film The ''Big Combo'', she moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career, starring in films alongside actors such as Johnny Weissmuller, Arthur Franz and Tom Drake. After several film roles during 1955 and starring in a silent role alongside comic Ben Blue in 1956, she retired from acting in 1957. | ||
In 1957, she married Morton Pinsky and had two children with him, including celebrity doctor Drew Pinsky; they were married for over 50 years before his death in 2009. | In 1957, she married Morton Pinsky and had two children with him, including celebrity doctor Drew Pinsky; they were married for over 50 years before his death in 2009. | ||
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Initially, she sang opera for Philadelphia's Cosmopolitan Opera Company. In 1943, she was asked to perform in a stage version of The Merry Widow, but after moving to Hollywood, she was persuaded to switch from classical to popular music. After her divorce in 1953, she focused on her singing career and developed a close friendship with songwriter Jimmy McHugh. | Initially, she sang opera for Philadelphia's Cosmopolitan Opera Company. In 1943, she was asked to perform in a stage version of The Merry Widow, but after moving to Hollywood, she was persuaded to switch from classical to popular music. After her divorce in 1953, she focused on her singing career and developed a close friendship with songwriter Jimmy McHugh. | ||
Starting in 1953 and running until 1954, she is part of the opening act for [[Frank Sinatra]] for his first performance at the [[Sands Hotel and Casino|Sands Hotel]] in Las Vegas, | Starting in 1953 and running until 1954, she is part of the opening act for [[Frank Sinatra]] for his first performance at the [[Sands Hotel and Casino|Sands Hotel]] in Las Vegas, performing with the Ben Blue Orchestra. In October 1955, a nightclub act is arranged for her to perform in Vegas. | ||
[[File:Jungle Moon Men 1954 Strange Land D-8265-11.jpg|thumb|Stanton and Bill Henry on the set of Jungle Moon Men in 1954]] | [[File:Jungle Moon Men 1954 Strange Land D-8265-11.jpg|thumb|Stanton and Bill Henry on the set of Jungle Moon Men in 1954]] | ||
In 1955, she was spotted by a producer for Allied Artists while performing in Las Vegas, who offered her a part in the film The Big Combo. She moved to Los Angeles | In 1955, she was spotted by a producer for Allied Artists while performing in Las Vegas, who offered her a part in the film The Big Combo. She moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting, which began while singing at Ciro's in West Hollywood, California, where she played in films alongside actors such as Johnny Weissmuller, Arthur Franz, and Tom Drake. Despite her opinion that she would typically be cast in "flashy" roles, such as a burlesque dancer, she would try to compensate as being "as plain as possible" when not on stage, with people commenting on how different she looked when not wearing make-up. She would usually always accept offers of new types of roles without hesitation and convey previous experience in those types of roles even if she had none. Having worked alongside various talents, she expressed how she "learned something new" from everyone she had worked with. During a screen test for ''Jungle Moon Men'', producer Sam Katzman described how she looked "like a million", with comparisons to [[Rita Hayworth]] in her tall and redheaded appearance. She described how she would work out in the gym to keep her muscles toned. She was described in 1956 as being "a provocatively sexy young lady" following a number of television roles, having won the attention of filmmakers when performing "her sexy walk" on television. | ||
She starred opposite comedian Ben Blue in 1956, where she had to convey emotion without speech, an experience she described as "no easy task," but praised Blue as being "so great." Her final film was as a temperamental movie star in Universal's 1957 film ''Four Girls in Town''. Following her marriage to Morton Pinksy in 1957, she retired from acting. | She starred opposite comedian Ben Blue in 1956, where she had to convey emotion without speech, an experience she described as "no easy task," but praised Blue as being "so great." Her final film was as a temperamental movie star in Universal's 1957 film ''Four Girls in Town''. Following her marriage to Morton Pinksy in 1957, she retired from acting. | ||
Revision as of 15:25, 20 August 2025
| Helene Stanton | |
 Photo of Helene Stanton 'Heavenly Heavy' in 1954 | |
| Background information | |
| Born as: | Eleanor Mae Stansbury |
| Born | Nov 4, 1925 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Died | Jun 7, 2017 - at age 92 Pasadena, California |
Helene Stanton (born Eleanor Mae Stansbury, ✦November 4, 1925 – †June 7, 2017) was an American singer and actress. Her career began as an opera singer for the Cosmopolitan Opera Company in Philadelphia, before moving to Hollywood, where she became a singer of popular music. In 1949, she married silent film actor Ken Harlan, but the marriage broke down and they divorced four years later in 1953.
After being spotted in Las Vegas and offered a part in the film The Big Combo, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career, starring in films alongside actors such as Johnny Weissmuller, Arthur Franz and Tom Drake. After several film roles during 1955 and starring in a silent role alongside comic Ben Blue in 1956, she retired from acting in 1957.
In 1957, she married Morton Pinsky and had two children with him, including celebrity doctor Drew Pinsky; they were married for over 50 years before his death in 2009.
Early life
Stanton was born on November 4, 1925, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as Eleanor Mae Stansbury, to William Benton Stansbury and Sarah Jane Hamilton. She was the youngest of five children. As a child, she took ballet lessons, believing this gave her a sense of control that people who had not danced did not have. From age 13, she began taking singing lessons.
Career
Initially, she sang opera for Philadelphia's Cosmopolitan Opera Company. In 1943, she was asked to perform in a stage version of The Merry Widow, but after moving to Hollywood, she was persuaded to switch from classical to popular music. After her divorce in 1953, she focused on her singing career and developed a close friendship with songwriter Jimmy McHugh.
Starting in 1953 and running until 1954, she is part of the opening act for Frank Sinatra for his first performance at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas, performing with the Ben Blue Orchestra. In October 1955, a nightclub act is arranged for her to perform in Vegas.
In 1955, she was spotted by a producer for Allied Artists while performing in Las Vegas, who offered her a part in the film The Big Combo. She moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting, which began while singing at Ciro's in West Hollywood, California, where she played in films alongside actors such as Johnny Weissmuller, Arthur Franz, and Tom Drake. Despite her opinion that she would typically be cast in "flashy" roles, such as a burlesque dancer, she would try to compensate as being "as plain as possible" when not on stage, with people commenting on how different she looked when not wearing make-up. She would usually always accept offers of new types of roles without hesitation and convey previous experience in those types of roles even if she had none. Having worked alongside various talents, she expressed how she "learned something new" from everyone she had worked with. During a screen test for Jungle Moon Men, producer Sam Katzman described how she looked "like a million", with comparisons to Rita Hayworth in her tall and redheaded appearance. She described how she would work out in the gym to keep her muscles toned. She was described in 1956 as being "a provocatively sexy young lady" following a number of television roles, having won the attention of filmmakers when performing "her sexy walk" on television.
She starred opposite comedian Ben Blue in 1956, where she had to convey emotion without speech, an experience she described as "no easy task," but praised Blue as being "so great." Her final film was as a temperamental movie star in Universal's 1957 film Four Girls in Town. Following her marriage to Morton Pinksy in 1957, she retired from acting.
Personal life
Born as Eleanor Stansbury, she changed her name at the suggestion of columnist and friend Louella Parsons, as it was felt her own name was "a little staid for a singer of popular songs". According to Parsons, Stanton had "a beautiful soprano voice".
In 1949, she married silent film actor Ken Harlan, becoming his eighth wife. However, they divorced in December 1953, after separating in April, on the grounds of cruelty. Despite this, she told reporters that the divorce was "real friendly" and noted that she thought he was a nice person. The couple had been married for around four years. She later married Dr. Morton Pinsky in 1957, and they remained together until he died in 2009.
Stanton died on June 7, 2017, in Pasadena, California, at the age of 91. She is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, Los Angeles[citation needed] and is survived by her son Drew Pinsky (better known as "Dr. Drew") and daughter Dana Chelf.
- Helene Stanton gallery
External links
- More information is available at [ Wikipedia:Helene_Stanton ]
Filmography
- Wikipedia article: Helene Stanton Filmography
External links
- More information is available at [ Wikipedia:Helene_Stanton ]
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