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Melinda Plowman
Melinda Plowman still for "Chicago Calling" brightened (tighter crop).jpg
Plowman in 1951
Born
Melinda Ann Plowman

(1941-05-13) May 13, 1941 (age 84)
Other names Melinda Ann Casey
Melinda Casey
Occupation Actress, assistant director
Years active 1949−1996
Spouse(s)
  • Philip Casey
  • Robert Ballew
Children 2

Melinda Ann Plowman (born May 13, 1941) is an American actress and assistant director. She is also known as Melinda Ann Casey or Melinda Casey. Melinda started acting when she was just 6 years old. She appeared in movies and TV shows throughout the 1960s. Later, in the 1970s, she began working behind the scenes. She became an assistant director and continued this work into the 1990s.

Early Life and First Steps in Acting

Melinda Ann Plowman was born on May 13, 1941, in Abilene, Texas. Her parents, Homer Lee Plowman and Lura Frances Slaughter, met and married there. Melinda has one younger sister. When she was two years old, her birthday party was even mentioned in the local newspaper!

In 1942, her family moved to Los Angeles, California. Melinda started dance school when she was only three. At age six, she was "discovered" through her dancing. This led to her first small role in the 1949 movie Little Women.

Melinda Plowman's Career Journey

Dan Duryea, Mary Anderson, and Melinda Plowman in Chicago Calling (cropped)
Melinda Plowman with Dan Duryea in the 1951 movie Chicago Calling

Acting in Movies and TV Shows

Melinda Plowman acted in Hollywood movies during the 1950s. However, she mostly worked in television. She appeared in many TV shows. These included seven episodes of NBC Matinee Theater. She also acted in popular shows like Ford Theatre and The Loretta Young Show. You might know her from The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show. She was even one of the first Mouseketeers on The Mickey Mouse Club!

Her parents wanted her to be a "freelance actor." This meant she could work for different studios instead of being tied to just one. Her mother always went with her to the film sets. When Melinda wasn't working, she went to a regular public elementary school. Later, she attended San Marino High School in California. During filming, she had a special tutor on set to help her keep up with schoolwork.

Melinda got her first main role when she was 25. This was in the 1966 horror film Billy the Kid Versus Dracula.

Working as an Assistant Director

In the 1970s, Melinda decided to work behind the camera. She joined the Directors Guild of America. This is a group for people who direct movies and TV shows. She listed herself as an "associate director" using the name Melinda Ann Casey. She continued to work on film crews as an assistant director until the 1990s.

Melinda Plowman's Personal Life

Melinda Plowman married Phil Casey, who managed talent, in August 1967. They got married in Las Vegas. They had one son together. Later, Melinda married Robert Ballew, and they have a daughter. In 1971, her parents moved back to Fort Worth, Texas. Today, Melinda lives in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

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