Judy Tyler(bornJudith Mae Hess;October 9, 1932 – July 3, 1957) was an American singer and actress.[1]
Judy Tyler | |
|---|---|
 Tyler inJailhouse Rock,1957 | |
| Born | Judith Mae Hess October 9, 1932 |
| Died | July 3, 1957(aged 24) nearRock River, Wyoming,U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1947–1957 |
| Spouses | Colin Romoff
(m.1950;div.1956)Gregory Lafayette (m.1957) |
Early life and career
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Judy Tyler spent her teen years inTeaneck, New Jersey.She came from a show business family and was encouraged to study dance and acting.[citation needed]Tyler's acting career began as a teenager, with regular appearances onHowdy DoodyasPrincess Summerfall Winterspringfrom 1950 to 1953.
Like her mother, Tyler became achorus girl,and then landed a starring role in theRodgers and HammersteinmusicalPipe Dream.[2]Lifedid a story on risingBroadwaytalent with Tyler on its cover as one of the up-and-coming stars. Tyler lived with her parents in Teaneck while appearing onHowdy Doodyand Broadway.[3]
Offered an opportunity inHollywood,Tyler appeared in the filmBop Girl Goes Calypso(1957), then starred oppositeElvis PresleyinJailhouse Rock(1957). On December 28, 1957— nearly six months after her passing —Tyler was a cast member in a televisedPerry Masonepisode, "The Case of the Fan Dancer's Horse,” the “last film made by Judy Tyler before her death in an auto accident.”[4]
Death
editA few days after herJailhouse Rockfilming ended, Tyler and her second husband, Gregory Lafayette (born Earl Gregory Nisonger Jr.), began driving home to New York from Hollywood. While driving throughWyomingon July 3, 1957, they were involved in an automobile accident onU.S. Route 287nearRock River.Tyler was killed instantly, aged 24, and Lafayette died the next day, aged 19.The Casper Morning Starreported the passenger killed in the oncoming car, driven by Paul Reed, was Don D. Jones, 23, ofHanna, Wyoming.Police said Lafayette's car swerved to avoid hitting a slow-moving car-and-trailer entering the highway and collided head-on with the other vehicle in the crash.[3]Reporter Ted Smith wrote inThe Commercial Appealthat the car towing the trailer was returning to the highway after leaving a tourist shop.
Filmography
editFilms
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Bop Girl Goes Calypso | Jo Thomas | |
| 1957 | Jailhouse Rock | Peggy Van Alden |
Television
edit| Year(s) | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950–1953 | Howdy Doody | Princess Summerfall Winterspring | 96 Episodes |
| 1957 | Perry Mason | Irene Kilby | Episode: "The Case of the Fan Dancer's Horse"; aired posthumously |
References
edit- ^ObituaryVariety,July 10, 1957, page 127.
- ^"Judy Tyler".Internet Broadway Database.The Broadway League. Archived fromthe originalon May 11, 2021.RetrievedMay 11,2021.
- ^ab"JUDY TYLER DIES AS CARS COLLIDE; Actress and Husband Killed by Crash in Wyoming-- Was on 'Howdy Doody'".The New York Times.July 4, 1957.ISSN0362-4331.RetrievedDecember 7,2021.
- ^[Television Schedule, Saturday December 28]. Oklahoma City Advertiser, 27 December 1957, 12.
External links
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