Yvonne De Carlo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Yvonne De Carlo
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Yvonne De Carlo c. 1955
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| Born |
Margaret Yvonne Middleton
September 1, 1922 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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| Died | January 8, 2007 (aged 84) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1939–1995 |
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Notable work
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Sephora in Cecil B. DeMille's The Ten Commandments (1956) |
| Television | The Munsters (1964–1966) |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) |
Robert Drew Morgan
(m. 1955; div. 1973) |
| Children | 2 |
| Awards | 1957 Laurel Award for Topliner Supporting Actress for The Ten Commandments (1956) |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Labels | |
Yvonne De Carlo (born Margaret Yvonne Middleton; September 1, 1922 – January 8, 2007) was a famous actress, dancer, and singer. She was from Canada and later became an American citizen. Yvonne became a big Hollywood movie star in the 1940s and 1950s. She also recorded music and performed on TV and stage.
Yvonne De Carlo was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Her mother enrolled her in dance school when she was just three years old. In the early 1940s, Yvonne and her mother moved to Los Angeles. There, Yvonne took part in beauty contests and worked as a dancer in nightclubs.
She started acting in movies in 1941. In 1942, she signed a contract with Paramount Pictures. She had small, uncredited roles in many films. Her first main role was in the adventure film Deerslayer in 1943.
Yvonne became a true star with her role in Salome, Where She Danced (1945). The film's success made her famous. She then signed a five-year contract with Universal Pictures. Universal cast her in colorful movies like Frontier Gal (1945) and Song of Scheherazade (1947). She was even called "Queen of Technicolor" for three years.
Later, she showed her serious acting skills in films like Brute Force (1947) and Criss Cross (1949). Her career reached its peak when she played Sephora, Moses' wife, in the epic film The Ten Commandments (1956). For this role, she won an award.
She also starred as Lily Munster in the popular TV show The Munsters (1964–1966). She played this role again in later movies. In 1971, she performed on Broadway in the musical Follies. Yvonne wrote her autobiography, Yvonne, in 1987. She passed away in 2007 after a stroke. She has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Contents
Yvonne De Carlo: A Star's Journey
Growing Up in Vancouver
Yvonne De Carlo was born Margaret Yvonne Middleton on September 1, 1922. She was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Her family called her "Peggy." Her mother, Marie De Carlo, was from France. Her father, William Shelto Middleton, was a salesman from New Zealand.
Yvonne's parents had a difficult marriage. Her father left when she was three years old. Yvonne and her mother lived in different apartments. They often stayed with her mother's parents, the De Carlos. Her grandparents were religious and lived in a large white house.
Yvonne went to Lord Roberts Elementary School. It was close to her grandparents' home.
Early Dreams and Talents
Yvonne first wanted to be a writer. When she was seven, a poem she wrote won a contest. It was published in the Vancouver Sun newspaper. She won $5, which felt like a huge prize to her. She also wrote short plays. She would put on these plays in her grandparents' house. She even adapted A Christmas Carol for a neighborhood show.
Yvonne's mother wanted her to be in show business. She made sure Yvonne had singing and dancing lessons. Yvonne joined the choir at St. Paul's Anglican Church. This helped her voice get stronger. When she was ten, her mother enrolled her in dance school.
Starting in Hollywood
Yvonne and her mother traveled to Los Angeles many times. In 1940, she won second place in a beauty contest in Venice, California. She also placed fifth in the Miss California competition. At the Miss Venice contest, a booking agent noticed her. He suggested she try out for a dance group at the Earl Carroll Theatre.
Yvonne and her mother went to the audition. But they decided to try another nightclub, the Florentine Gardens. The owner, Nils Granlund, introduced Yvonne to the audience. She tap-danced to "Tea for Two." The audience loved her, and she got the job. She started in the back of the dance line. But soon, she had solo routines. She even appeared in her first short musical film called a "soundie."
After a few months, Yvonne was sent back to Canada by immigration officials. But in 1941, Nils Granlund helped her return to the U.S. by offering her a steady job.
In May 1941, she performed in a show called Hollywood Revels. A newspaper critic praised her dancing. She also made her first appearance on network radio.
Yvonne wanted to act in movies. She quit dancing at the Florentine Gardens to find an agent. She got a small, uncredited role in a film called Harvard, Here I Come (1941). She earned $25 for this role. This job allowed her to join the Screen Actors Guild. When no other acting jobs came, she went back to dancing. She later got a small part in This Gun for Hire (1942) at Paramount.
Becoming a Paramount Player
After an interview, Yvonne signed a contract with Paramount Pictures. She started at $60 a week. Her first job was in Rhythm Parade. She also appeared as an extra in The Crystal Ball (1943).
Yvonne asked director Sam Wood for a part in his next film. She got a small role in For Whom the Bell Tolls (1943). She also had small parts in Let's Face It (1943) and So Proudly We Hail! (1943). She was often used to help other actors with their screen tests.
Cecil B. DeMille, a famous director, saw Yvonne in So Proudly We Hail!. He gave her a screen test for a key role. She didn't get that specific part, but he promised her a role in a future film.
Soon after, Yvonne played Princess Wah-Tah in Deerslayer. This was her first main role in a full-length movie. She continued to have small roles in other films. Paramount decided not to renew her contract in 1945.
Becoming a Hollywood Star
Breakthrough with Salome
Universal was looking for a new glamorous actress. Yvonne De Carlo did a screen test for them. Walter Wanger, a producer, saw her test. He was making an adventure film called Salome, Where She Danced (1945). Wanger later said he discovered Yvonne.
Universal signed her to a long contract, paying her $150 a week. In September 1944, it was announced that Yvonne would star in Salome. She was chosen over many other young women.
Salome was not a favorite with critics. But it was very popular at the box office. Yvonne was heavily promoted and became a rising star.
Universal-International Years
Universal gave Yvonne a long-term contract. She starred in Frontier Gal (1946), a Western film. In 1946, movie theater owners voted her one of the most promising "stars of tomorrow." This film, like Salome, was shot in Technicolor.
Yvonne then starred in the musical Song of Scheherazade (1947). She had three dancing solos in the film. The movie was a big success, earning over $2 million.
Yvonne wanted to act in different kinds of movies. She got a small role in Brute Force (1947). This was a prison movie starring Burt Lancaster. It was her first black and white film as a star. It also received good reviews.
She played Lola Montez in the Western Black Bart (1948). She also worked with the same director and co-star in River Lady (1948). Yvonne found these roles physically demanding but not very creative.
She sang in Casbah (1948), a musical film. The song "For Every Man There's a Woman" was nominated for an Academy Award. However, this film was not a box office success.
Yvonne then made another film with Burt Lancaster, Criss Cross (1949). This time, Yvonne had a bigger role as a mysterious woman named Anna. Critics noted that she was "trying something different." This film is now seen as a classic. Yvonne thought this role was a highlight of her career.
She continued to make Technicolor Westerns. She played Calamity Jane in Calamity Jane and Sam Bass (1949). She also showed off her singing voice in The Gal Who Took the West (1950).
Yvonne starred in Buccaneer's Girl (1950), a pirate movie. The director said Yvonne was "underrated as an actress." He added that she was professional and worked hard. She was good at dancing and singing.
She toured U.S. army bases, singing for the troops. She also started singing on television. She made more films like The Desert Hawk (1950) and Tomahawk (1951).
Life After Universal
Yvonne went to England to make a comedy, Hotel Sahara (1951). While there, she asked Universal to end her contract early. The studio agreed.
In 1951, Yvonne sang in the opera Die Fledermaus at the Hollywood Bowl. She called it "the aesthetic highlight of my life."
In August 1951, Yvonne became the first Canadian film star to visit Israel. She gave concerts in many cities. Her films were very popular there. She said the people of Israel were "the most wonderful, warm, and generous people."
She returned to the U.S. to make The San Francisco Story (1952). She also made her live TV debut in "Another Country." She went back to Universal for Scarlet Angel (1952) with Rock Hudson.
Yvonne made Hurricane Smith (1952). She also appeared on TV in "Madame 44." She planned to start her own film company, but it didn't happen.
She went to MGM to make Sombrero (1953). She liked her character in this film because it was more serious. She was reunited with Rock Hudson for Sea Devils (1953). This adventure film was shot in Britain and France.
She made another film in England, The Captain's Paradise (1953). She then made Happy Ever After (1954) with David Niven. She returned to the U.S. for a TV comedy.
Yvonne made a Western with Joel McCrea, Border River (1954). She also filmed The Contessa's Secret (1954) in Italy. She wrote a story for a science-fiction film, but it was not made. She starred in the Western Shotgun (1955).
She made her third film for Universal, Raw Edge (1956). She played Minna Wagner in Magic Fire (1956). She was also on TV in "The Sainted General." She reunited with Howard Duff in Flame of the Islands (1956).
Most Famous Film Roles
The Ten Commandments and Beyond
In September 1954, director Cecil B. DeMille cast Yvonne as Sephora. This was the wife of Moses (played by Charlton Heston) in his epic film The Ten Commandments. The movie premiered in November 1956. DeMille chose Yvonne because he saw "depth, an emotional power, a womanly strength" in her acting.
She prepared a lot for the role. She took weaving lessons and learned about shepherding. She worked with a drama coach for months. Her performance received great reviews. Critics praised her as "notably good" and "very fine." She won a Laurel Award for her performance.
Yvonne fell in love with stuntman Bob Morgan while filming in Egypt in 1954. They married in 1955. Their first son, Bruce, was born in 1956. DeMille became Bruce's godfather.
Yvonne co-starred with George Sanders in Death of a Scoundrel (1956). Critics praised her "solid and professional job." She also released a music album called Yvonne De Carlo Sings in 1957. It featured ten songs.
Because of the success of The Ten Commandments, Yvonne was offered lead roles in two Warner Bros. films. She chose Band of Angels (1957) because she would star with Clark Gable. The film was about a mixed-race woman sold as a slave. It was not a big success at the time.
She appeared on TV shows like Playhouse 90 (1958). She also made a film with Victor Mature, Timbuktu (1958). In May 1958, Yvonne played Mary Magdalene in the Italian film The Sword and the Cross. The director said she was very excited about the role.
Yvonne created a nightclub act and toured South America. She guest-starred on TV shows like Bonanza (1959) and Adventures in Paradise (1960).
Yvonne's husband, Bob Morgan, was seriously injured in a stunt accident in 1962. He became permanently disabled. To support her family, Yvonne took many jobs. She performed in nightclubs and plays.
John Wayne offered her a role in his film McLintock! (1963). She played Louise Warren, the main character's cook. She also starred in the Western Law of the Lawless (1964). She played a Spanish dancer in the comedy A Global Affair (1964).
Later Career and The Munsters
Becoming Lily Munster
By 1964, Yvonne was in debt. She signed a contract with Universal Studios to play the lead female role in The Munsters. She played Lily Munster, the glamorous vampire wife of Herman Munster. When asked how she could play a spooky character, she said, "Play her just like Donna Reed." She even sang and played the harp in one episode.
The show was canceled after 70 episodes. But Yvonne played Lily Munster again in the film Munster, Go Home! (1966). She hoped it would bring back interest in the TV show. She said The Munsters was a "happy show" that appealed to both children and adults. She also said it was a "steady job."
Stage Work and Other Roles
After The Munsters, Yvonne guest-starred in other TV shows. She appeared in Westerns like Hostile Guns (1967) and Arizona Bushwhackers (1968). She also had a supporting role in the thriller The Power (1968).
After 1967, Yvonne became very active in musicals. She performed in Pal Joey and Catch Me If You Can. She also toured in Little Me and Hello Dolly.
Yvonne continued to appear in films like The Delta Factor (1970). She had a notable part in The Seven Minutes (1971).
Her most famous stage role was Carlotta Campion in the musical Follies (1971–72). She played an older star at a reunion. She introduced the famous song "I'm Still Here." Yvonne said the part was written just for her.
In 1972, Yvonne went to Australia to perform in No, No, Nanette. The show toured Australia and New Zealand. It closed in 1973. She also starred in other stage productions like Applause in 1975.
Later Film and TV Appearances
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Yvonne appeared in many films in the 1970s. These included The Girl on the Late, Late Show (1974) and Blazing Stewardesses (1975). She also starred in horror films like Satan's Cheerleaders (1977) and The Silent Scream (1979). She guest-starred on shows like Fantasy Island.
She reprised her role in The Munsters' Revenge (1981). She also appeared in films like Liar's Moon (1982) and American Gothic (1988). For American Gothic, she won a Best Actress Award.
Yvonne had a supporting role as Aunt Rosa in the comedy Oscar (1991) with Sylvester Stallone. She said it was a small but funny part.
She appeared on Murder, She Wrote (1985) and Tales from the Crypt (1993). She had a small cameo in Here Come the Munsters (1995).
Her final performance was in the 1995 TV film The Barefoot Executive. She played Norma, a former film stand-in. Yvonne said she liked doing small roles by then. Her son later said she had two unreleased independent films before she passed away.
Personal Life and Beliefs
Home and Family
In 1950, Yvonne De Carlo bought a large ranch house in Studio City, Los Angeles. She called it her "dream home." She designed an English-style dining room and built stables for her horses. She sold the property in 1975. Later, she moved to a ranch in the Santa Ynez Valley.
Yvonne met stuntman Robert Drew "Bob" Morgan in 1955. They married on November 21, 1955. Yvonne helped raise Bob's daughter, Bari Lee. They had two sons together: Bruce Ross and Michael. Cecil B. DeMille was Bruce's godfather.
Bob Morgan was seriously injured in a stunt accident in 1962. He became permanently disabled. Yvonne worked very hard to support her family after his accident. She was often away from home, touring with shows. Bob's constant arguments caused strain in their marriage. They divorced in July 1973.
Political and Religious Views
Yvonne De Carlo became an American citizen. She was an active member of the Republican party. She supported politicians like Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan. She openly discussed her conservative political views.
She also spoke about her faith in God. Her grandparents came from different religious backgrounds. She was raised as an Anglican. She believed that faith in God was most important, no matter the specific church.
Health and Passing
Yvonne suffered a minor stroke in 1998. She spent her last years at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital. She passed away from heart failure on January 8, 2007. She was cremated.
Awards and Honors
- In 1946, Variety named her one of the top new Hollywood stars.
- She was recognized as an "All-American Screen Favorite" in 1946 and 1947.
- In 1947, she was named one of the 10 "best tressed" film actresses.
- In 1957, she won a Laurel Award for her role in The Ten Commandments.
- She received a BoxOffice Blue Ribbon Award for The Ten Commandments (1956).
- In 1960, she received two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. One is for movies, and one is for television.
- In 1964, she received another BoxOffice Blue Ribbon Award for McLintock! (1963).
- In 1966, her hometown of Niagara Falls, Canada, honored her.
- She was named honorary mayor of North Hollywood, Los Angeles in 1966.
- In 1987, she won the Best Actress Award at the Fantafestival for American Gothic.
- In 2005, she was nominated as one of the top 250 female Hollywood legends.
- In 2007, she was nominated for a TV Land Award for The Munsters.
Filmography
Discography
Singles
- "I Love a Man" / "Say Goodbye" (Columbia, 1950)
- "Take It Or Leave It" / "Three Little Stars" (Capitol, 1955)
- "That's Love" / "The Secret of Love" (Imperial, 1957)
- "I Would Give My Heart" / "Rockin' In The Orbit" (Imperial, 1958)
Albums
- Yvonne De Carlo Sings (Masterseal, 1957)
Duets
- "You Belong to My Heart" with Bill Lee (included in That's Entertainment! The Ultimate Anthology of M-G-M Musicals)
- "Getting to Know You" with Frank Sinatra (included in The Frank Sinatra Duets)
Images for kids
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Yvonne De Carlo c. 1955
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De Carlo (left) and her mother at the Florentine Gardens, c. 1941
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De Carlo's first film appearance was in the Maxie Rosenbloom vehicle Harvard, Here I Come! (1941).
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De Carlo as Wah-Tah in Deerslayer (1943), her first featured role in a full-length film
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De Carlo in Salome, Where She Danced (1945)
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De Carlo in the trailer for Song of Scheherazade (1947)
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De Carlo in the trailer for Criss Cross (1949)
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De Carlo won a Laurel Award for Topliner Supporting Actress for her role as Sephora in The Ten Commandments (1956).
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With Clark Gable in Band of Angels (1957)
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De Carlo in McLintock! (1963)
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De Carlo (with sleeved dress) along with the cast of The Munsters in 1964
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De Carlo at the National Film Society convention in 1979
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De Carlo with her husband, Robert Morgan, at the New York premiere of The Ten Commandments in 1956
See also
In Spanish: Yvonne De Carlo para niños
