Resting place Cremation Role Actress Name Charlene Holt | Years active 1962–1980 Occupation Actress, model Height 1.73 m | |
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Full Name Verna Charlene Stavely Spouse William Tishman (m. 1966–1972) Parents Malcolm C. Stavely, Verna Vesta Stavely Movies Similar People Michele Carey, Arthur Hunnicutt, Maria Perschy, Paula Prentiss, Howard Hawks | ||
Verna Charlene Stavely, professionally known as Charlene Holt, was an American actress known for her supporting roles in television and film.
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Early life
Holt was born on April 28, 1928, in Snyder, Texas, to Malcolm C. and Verna Vesta Stavely, née Chandler. After she graduated from high school in Hagerman, New Mexico, she attended McMurry University in Abilene, Texas. She was a model in Houston, Texas.
In 1956, Holt was crowned Miss Maryland and in July, 1956 participated in the Miss USA pageant in Long Beach, California where she was a semi-finalist. In August, 1957 she was among nine models sent to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, by Rose Marie Reid Swim Suits of Los Angeles and the Eileen Ford Agency in New York City.
Holt appeared in various TV commercials in 1958 and reportedly signed a $50,000-a-year model contract in New York at age 29. She was in a Revlon lipstick commercial, in which she was reportedly spotted by director Howard Hawks who later cast her in several of his films. She was subsequently named "Miss Sweater Girl" in October, 1958 by the Wool Bureau. The contest was held in the Crystal Suite of the Savoy Hilton Hotel in New York.
Career
Holt's first credited role was as Lisa, a model, in If a Man Answers, a 1962 comedy film directed by Henry Levin and starring Bobby Darin and Sandra Dee. In 1965 she appeared on Perry Mason as Helen Cadmus in "The Case of the Grinning Gorilla." In 1966, she co-starred in El Dorado opposite John Wayne. In all, she performed in over 20 TV and film productions between 1962 and 1980.
Personal life
Holt married William A. Tishman, a millionaire builder in Los Angeles on October 7, 1966. They resided in Beverly Hill’s Trousdale Estates until their divorce in June 1972.
Holt died on April 5, 1996, in Williamson County, Tennessee. She was 67.
Filmography
