Rhonda Fleming facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rhonda Fleming
Publicity photo, c. 1950s
Born	Marilyn Louis (1923-08-10)August 10, 1923 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Died	October 14, 2020(2020-10-14) (aged 97) Santa Monica, California, U.S.
Resting place	Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery
Nationality	American
Occupation	Actress, singer
Years active	1943–1990
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Tom Lane ​ ​ (m. 1940; div. 1942)​ Dr. Lewis Morrill ​ ​ (m. 1952; div. 1954)​ Lang Jeffries ​ ​ (m. 1960; div. 1962)​ Hall Bartlett ​ ​ (m. 1966; div. 1972)​ Ted Mann ​ ​ (m. 1977; died 2001)​ Darol Carlson ​ ​ (m. 2003; died 2017)​
Children	1

Rhonda Fleming (born Marilyn Louis; August 10, 1923 – October 14, 2020) was an American actress and singer. She starred in over 40 movies, mostly in the 1940s and 1950s. People called her the "Queen of Technicolor" because her red hair and fair skin looked amazing in movies made with this special color film process.

About Her Career

Early Life and Discovery

Rhonda Fleming was born Marilyn Louis in Hollywood, California. Her father, Harold Cheverton Louis, sold insurance. Her mother, Effie Graham, was a stage actress. Rhonda's grandfather, John C. Graham, was also an actor and owned theaters.

Rhonda started acting in movies while still in high school. She graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 1941. A famous Hollywood agent, Henry Willson, discovered her. He was the one who changed her name to "Rhonda Fleming."

Rhonda later shared how strange it was. "He stopped me crossing the street," she said. "I was only 16 or 17. He signed me to a seven-year contract without even a screen test!" She called it a "Cinderella story."

Working with David O. Selznick

Rhonda's agent, Henry Willson, began working for David O. Selznick. Selznick was a very important movie producer. He signed Rhonda to a contract. She had small roles in early films like In Old Oklahoma (1943) and Since You Went Away (1944).

Her first big role was in the thriller Spellbound (1945). This movie was produced by Selznick and directed by Alfred Hitchcock, a famous director. The film was a hit. Selznick then gave her another good role in The Spiral Staircase (1946).

Selznick also let her act in other studios' films. She appeared in the Western Abilene Town (1946) and the classic detective film Out of the Past (1947). In Out of the Past, she played a busy secretary.

Becoming a Leading Lady

Rhonda's first main role was in Adventure Island (1947). This was an action film made in a color process called Cinecolor.

She then tried out for a musical film with Bing Crosby. This movie was A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (1949). Rhonda showed off her singing skills in this film. She sang "Once and For Always" with Bing Crosby. She also sang "When Is Sometime" by herself.

This movie was her first made with Technicolor. Her red hair and fair skin looked amazing on screen. This is how she got her nickname, "Queen of Technicolor." However, Rhonda wished people would focus more on her acting.

After this, she starred with comedian Bob Hope in The Great Lover (1949). This movie was very popular. Rhonda became a well-known actress.

In 1950, she played a love interest in the Western film The Eagle and the Hawk. She also played a mysterious woman in the detective film Cry Danger (1951). She then starred in another Western, The Redhead and the Cowboy (1951). In 1950, Rhonda ended her eight-year contract with David O. Selznick.

Starring in Many Films

Rhonda signed a deal to make three movies with Paramount Pictures. She starred with Ronald Reagan in the Western The Last Outpost (1951). She also acted with John Payne in Crosswinds (1951). She worked with Ronald Reagan again in Hong Kong (1951).

In 1952, she was the main star in The Golden Hawk with Sterling Hayden. She reunited with Ronald Reagan for Tropic Zone (1953). In 1953, Rhonda played Cleopatra in Serpent of the Nile. That same year, she made a Western with Charlton Heston, Pony Express (1953).

She also made two films in 3-D: Inferno and the musical Those Redheads From Seattle. The next year, she starred in Jivaro, her third 3-D movie. She also traveled to Italy to play Semiramis in Queen of Babylon (1954).

Later 1950s Films

Fleming on location in 1951.

In 1955, Rhonda filmed the Western Tennessee's Partner. She played a character named Duchess. Much of this movie was filmed at the Iverson Movie Ranch in California. A large rock formation there, where Rhonda's character hid, is now called the Rhonda Fleming Rock.

Rhonda starred in the film Slightly Scarlet (1956) with John Payne. She also made thrillers like The Killer Is Loose (1956) and While the City Sleeps (1956).

She had a main role in Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957). This movie, starring Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas, was a big success. Rhonda also supported Donald O'Connor in The Buster Keaton Story (1957).

In May 1957, Rhonda started a singing act in Las Vegas. It was very popular. "I just wanted to know if I could get out on that stage," she said. "And I did!" She wished she could have done more stage work.

Rhonda starred in Bullwhip (1958). She also had a role in Home Before Dark (1958). She later said this was her favorite role.

She worked with Bob Hope again in Alias Jesse James (1959). She also appeared in The Big Circus (1959). Rhonda traveled to Italy again for The Revolt of the Slaves (1959).

Television and Music

In the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, Rhonda often appeared on television. She had guest roles on shows like The Red Skelton Show, Wagon Train, McMillan & Wife, and The Love Boat.

In 1958, Rhonda recorded her only music album, called Rhonda. It included songs like "Around The World" and "I've Got You Under My Skin".

In 1962, she played a Marine in an episode of Follow the Sun. She also appeared in Death Valley Days in 1962.

Later Career and Recognition

In the 1960s, Rhonda started other businesses. She also performed regularly on stage and in Las Vegas.

Rhonda Fleming has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2007, she also received a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars.

Personal Life and Legacy

Rhonda Fleming was very involved in charity work. She especially helped organizations focused on cancer care. In 1991, she and her fifth husband, Ted Mann, started the Rhonda Fleming Mann Clinic. This clinic provides care for women at the UCLA Medical Center.

In 1964, Rhonda spoke at a "Project Prayer" event in Los Angeles. This event supported having prayer in schools. Rhonda said, "Project Prayer is hoping to clarify the First Amendment to the Constitution and reverse this present trend away from God."

Rhonda Fleming was married six times. She had one son, Kent Lane. Through her son, she had two granddaughters, four great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

She was a Republican. She supported Dwight Eisenhower in the 1952 presidential election.

Rhonda Fleming passed away on October 14, 2020, in Santa Monica, California. She was 97 years old. She is buried at Hillside Memorial Park in Culver City, California.

Filmography

Television

Radio Appearances

Images for kids

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  Fleming in the trailer for Cry Danger (1951)

See also

In Spanish: Rhonda Fleming para niños