 |
Laura DevonAmerican actress and singer
Date of Birth: 23.05.1931
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Laura Devon
Laura Devon, born Mary Lou Briley on May 23, 1931, was an American actress and singer. She began her career in the early 1960s, but it wasn't until ten years later that she gained recognition. After her second marriage, she decided to leave the acting profession. Throughout her career, Devon only appeared in five films. She was considered one of the glamorous and voluptuous blondes who were actively used as decorations in films and television of that time, much like Sharon Tate, Yvette Mimieux, and Dorothy Provine.
Early Life
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Devon came from a family of an automotive engineer, Meryl Devon, and his wife. She inherited Swedish, Scottish, and Irish blood from her father, while her mother was of Dutch descent. The family later moved to Grosse Pointe, Michigan, where Devon attended school. At a young age, Mary developed a passion for singing, and as a teenager, she performed on local stages.
Acting Career
After graduating from the University of Michigan, where she specialized in journalism and politics, Devon pursued a professional acting career. She quickly made a name for herself on stage in various musicals, such as the production of 'The Boyfriend' at the Vanguard Playhouse in Detroit. In 1961, while performing in a nightclub in Detroit, Laura caught the attention of a talent agent from 20th Century-Fox. She was soon invited for screen tests and gained interest from Universal Studios, with whom she signed a contract.
During her first year under contract, Devon focused on learning acting, singing, and dancing. Once she had honed her skills, she began receiving roles. She appeared in popular projects such as 'Route 66' and 'The Twilight Zone.' However, her breakthrough came with her performance alongside June Harding in 'The Richard Boone Show,' where they shared the stage with notable celebrities like Richard Boone, Warren Stevens, Jeanette Nolan, Harry Morgan, Robert Blake, Guy Stockwell, Bethel Leslie, and Ford Rainey.
Personal Life and Retirement
Devon easily transitioned to the Hollywood scene. In Detroit, she met actor Brian Kelly, and their romance blossomed when he moved to Hollywood. They got married a year later and started advancing their careers together. Shortly after their wedding, they both starred in Lillian Hellman's play 'Toys in the Attic' at the Laguna Beach Summer Theater. In 1964, Laura made her film debut in Tony Curtis and Debbie Reynolds' 'Goodbye Charlie,' where she seamlessly fit into all the jokes written by George Axelrod. However, the film was not successful.
A short time later, Devon appeared in Howard Hawks' 'Red Line 7000,' one of his later and less successful works. In this film, she provided a pleasant background alongside her colleagues for the main storyline. Her first marriage ended in 1966, while Brian became a television star. However, Laura didn't stay single for long and married French film composer Maurice Jarre, known for his award-winning soundtracks for 'Lawrence of Arabia,' 'Doctor Zhivago,' and 'A Passage to India.' After her second marriage, she retired from acting. Devon divorced Jarre in 1984.
From that point on, she disappeared from the public eye. She only garnered attention again after her death in 2007.
