Charlene Holt was an American actress who is best known for her roles in El Dorado, If a Man Answers, and Days of Wine and Roses.
Personal and Family Life
Born Verna Charlene Stavely on April 28, 1928, in Snyder, Texas, she was the daughter of Malcolm C. Stavely and Verna Vesta Stavely. Holt had a successful modeling career, winning the title of “Miss Maryland” in 1956 and becoming a semi-finalist in the Miss USA Pageant that year. She was married three times, first to Edward Young Holt from 1951 until 1960, then to William Alan Tishman from 1966 until their divorce in 1972, and lastly to Solomon J. Saffian until her death in 1996.
Career Highlights
Charlene Holt began her acting career after being discovered by director Howard Hawks, who saw her in a Revlon commercial. She made her film debut in If a Man Answers (1962) and appeared in notable films such as Man’s Favorite Sport? (1964) and Red Line 7000 (1965). She also had guest roles on popular TV shows like Perry Mason and CHiPs, showcasing her versatility as an actress.
Death and Legacy
Charlene Holt passed away on April 5, 1996, in Williamson, Tennessee, due to cancer. Her contributions to film and television during the 1960s and 1970s left a memorable mark on the industry. Though she stepped back from acting after 1980, her work continues to be appreciated by fans of classic cinema.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| El Dorado | 1966-12-17 | Maudie |
| If a Man Answers | 1962-10-10 | Lisa |
| Man’s Favorite Sport? | 1964-01-31 | Tex Connors |
| Zig Zag | 1970-05-01 | Sara Raymond |
| Wonder Woman | 1974-03-12 | Hippolyte |
| Red Line 7000 | 1965-11-09 | Lindy |
| Days of Wine and Roses | 1963-02-04 | Guest (uncredited) |
| Melvin and Howard | 1980-09-19 | Mrs. Worth |
| The Alfred Hitchcock Hour | 1962-09-20 | Darlene Vance |
| Honey West | 1965-09-17 | Gloria |
| Perry Mason | 1957-09-21 | Helen Cadmus |