Graduated from Davenport High School in Davenport, IA, and loved going to class reunions. She always had her entourage with her and loved the attention.
Alumna of Stephens College, a woman's college in Columbia, MO. Known for its excellent Theatre Department, there's a scholarship award named in her honor.
After her graduation from college, she gained some professional experience on stage in 1944 before winning a Rita Hayworth look-alike contest. The resulting publicity from that contest led to her being signed to a movie contract with Warner Bros.