Occupation Film actress Years active 1943-1960 | Name Elaine Riley Role Film actress | |
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Born January 15, 1917 (age 107) ( 1917-01-15 ) East Liverpool, Ohio, U.S. Spouse Richard Martin (m. ?–1994) Movies The Hills of Utah, Sinister Journey, The Devil's Playground, Strange Gamble, What a Blonde Similar People Richard Martin, George Archainbaud, Lesley Selander, Leslie Goodwins, Lew Landers | ||
Elaine Riley (January 15, 1917 – December 7, 2015) was an American film and television actress.
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Early years
The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A.B. Riley, Riley was born in East Liverpool, Ohio, on January 15, 1917. She won the Miss East Liverpool beauty title and was runner-up for the Miss Ohio title in 1937. Riley also was a graduate of the Traphagen School of Fashion, and was a model for Powers and Hattie Carnegie model in New York at the age of 18,
Using the name Elaine Gray, Riley sang with a dance-music orchestra in several cities, including Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Film
Riley entered Hollywood in 1943 as an extra for the RKO Pictures, debuting in Higher and Higher. She left her job as secretary to the managing director of WINS radio in New York City to pursue her career in movies.
In 1946, she signed with Paramount Studios, where she became a recurring leading lady for Hopalong Cassidy. She worked with stars such as William Boyd, Charles Laughton, Tim Holt and Gene Autry.
Television
Riley appeared in two episodes of The Lone Ranger. and in The Lineup in an episode broadcast on January 4, 1957. Riley also appeared as Mildred Stone in an episode of The Cisco Kid.
Later years
She retired from acting in 1960, having more than 70 credits to her name. In 2004, Elaine Riley won the Golden Boot Awards, which honour actors, actresses, and crew members who have made significant contributions to the genre of Western television and movies. She died on December 7, 2015, aged 98.
Personal life
In 1946, Riley married actor Richard Martin, whom she met on the set of a film. Their marriage lasted until his death in 1994.