Gloria Winters was an American actress best known for her roles in “Sky King,” “The Life of Riley,” and various other television series during the 1950s. Born on November 28, 1931, in Los Angeles, California, she became a child star in show business.
Personal and Family Life
Gloria was born as Gloria Carolyn Hirst and was raised in Los Angeles. She married Dean Vernon on November 28, 1959, a love that blossomed while she worked on “Sky King.” They remained together until Dean’s death in 2001.
Career
Gloria started her acting career as a child, landing small roles in films before achieving fame as Babs in “The Life of Riley.” She gained further recognition as Penny King in the television series “Sky King,” which aired from 1951 to 1959. After “Sky King,” she stepped away from acting but maintained close connections with other cast members.
Death and Legacy
Gloria Winters passed away on August 14, 2010, in Vista, California, due to complications from pneumonia. She left a legacy marked by her early contributions to television and her enduring impact on pop culture, including her book “Penny’s Guide to Teen-Age Charm and Popularity.”
Filmography
| Title | Year | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp | 1960 | Ruthie Jensen | TV Series |
| Frontier Doctor | 1959 | Waitress | TV Series |
| Sky King | 1952–1959 | Penny King | TV Series |
| Richard Diamond, Private Detective | 1957–1958 | Dixie Moore / Jane Thomas | TV Series |
| The Sheriff of Cochise | 1957 | Lorain Hutton / Nancy | TV Series |
| Judge Roy Bean | 1956 | Ruth Phillips | TV Series |
| Death Valley Days | 1953 | Anne Ross / Millie Stewart | TV Series |