LOS ANGELES (AP) — Gloria DeHaven, the daughter of vaudeville stars who carved out her own successful career as the bright-eyed, vivacious star of Hollywood musicals and comedies of the 1940s and ‘50s, died Saturday in Las Vegas. She was 91.

Her agent Scott Stander said Monday DeHaven was in hospice care after suffering a stroke a few months ago.

As an MGM contract player, the attractive DeHaven also posed for her share of bathing suit pictures, which made her a pinup favorite of GIs during World War II.

As a teenager, she toured with big bands led by Bing Crosby’s brother Bob and others. An MGM talent scout spotted her at a concert in Texas.

After minor roles in “Best Foot Forward” and “Broadway Rhythm,” DeHaven achieved stardom in 1944’s “Two Girls and a Sailor,” in which she and June Allyson played sisters vying for the affections of Van Johnson.

MGM went on to employ DeHaven frequently as the second lead in such lightweight films as “Summer Holiday,” ‘’Summer Stock,” ‘’The Yellow Cab Man” (with Red Skelton) and “Three Little Words,” the biopic of songwriters Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby.


Comments are not available on this story.