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Anita ColbyActress, model
Date of Birth: 05.08.1914
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Anita Colby: From Model to Actress and Beyond
- Hollywood Aspirations
- Return to Modeling and Hollywood Breakthrough
- Mentor of Hollywood Stars
- Later Career and Legacy
Anita Colby: From Model to Actress and Beyond
Early Life and Modeling CareerBorn Anita Counihan on August 5, 1914, in New York City, Anita Colby was the daughter of legendary cartoonist Bud Counihan. As a model, she became one of the most sought-after faces in the industry, earning the then-record fee of $50 per hour. Her advertisements for tobacco products, among others, adorned countless billboards.
Hollywood Aspirations
In 1935, Colby moved to Hollywood and adopted the stage name "Colby." She appeared in several B-movies, including "Mary of Scotland," but failed to establish herself as a successful actress.
Return to Modeling and Hollywood Breakthrough
Returning to New York, Colby resumed her modeling career and secured a contract with Harper's Bazaar. A decade later, she achieved national recognition through her advertising campaign for the film "Cover Girl." Her success led to more film roles, including a notable performance in 1947's "Brute Force."
Mentor of Hollywood Stars
Colby also worked for David O. Selznick, instructing rising starlets on grooming, poise, and public etiquette. Known as the "Feminine Director of the Selznick Studios," she mentored actresses such as Jennifer Jones, Ingrid Bergman, Shirley Temple, Dorothy McGuire, and Joan Fontaine.
Later Career and Legacy
In 1954, Colby hosted the television series "The Pepsi-Cola Playhouse." She married Palen Flagler in 1970, a union that lasted until his death in 1984. Colby remained a devout Roman Catholic throughout her life. She passed away on March 27, 1992, at the age of 77, after a battle with lung disease. Despite her unsuccessful acting career, Anita Colby's legacy as a top model and influential mentor in the entertainment industry continues to inspire.
