 |
Frances RaffertyAmerican actress, dancer, MGM studio star
Date of Birth: 16.06.1922
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Frances Rafferty
Frances Rafferty was an American actress, dancer, and MGM studio star, as well as one of the main pin-up models during World War II. Born in Sioux City, Iowa, Rafferty moved to Los Angeles with her family at the age of nine. She began learning to dance at a young age and her beauty and dancing skills paved the way for her entry into the film industry.
Early Career
Rafferty made her film debut in 1942 after signing a contract with MGM Studios. Initially, she played mostly lightweight roles in various films during the 1940s. Despite a decent part in the movie "Dragon Seed" with Katharine Hepburn and Walter Huston, Rafferty's career did not significantly change. For a long time, she was primarily invited to appear in B-movies. Her only major role came in 1945 in "Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in Hollywood."
Pin-Up Model and Television Career
During World War II, Rafferty decided to work as a pin-up model and collaborated with "YANK," a publication for U.S. Army soldiers. In the 1950s, she shifted her focus to television shows. From 1954 to 1959, Rafferty portrayed Ruth Raskin Hennessy in all 111 episodes of the popular comedy series "December Bride" produced by Desilu Studios and aired on CBS. She co-starred with Spring Byington, Lily Raskin, and Dean Miller. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Rafferty appeared in several television series. She retired in 1965 but made a guest appearance in an episode of the ABC show "The Streets of San Francisco."
Personal Life
Rafferty was married twice in her lifetime. From 1944 to 1947, she was married to John Harlan. In 1948, Rafferty married Thomas Baker and had two children, a daughter named Bridget and a son named Kevin. After leaving her acting career, Rafferty and her husband worked on a ranch, breeding and raising racehorses for short distances. Frances Rafferty passed away in 2004 in Paso Robles, California.
