Mary Castle American film actress Date of Birth: 22.01.1931 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Modeling Career
2. Discovery by a Casting Agent
3. Film Debut and Acting Ambitions
4. Television Breakthrough and Emmy-Winning Series
5. Guest Appearances and Personal Life
6. Legal Issues and Professional Decline
7. Later Years and Death

Early Life and Modeling Career

Mary Castle, born Mary Ann Noblett on January 22, 1931, in Pampa, Texas, inherited Irish ancestry from her father and Native American heritage (one-sixteenth Quapaw) from her mother. She received training in horsemanship from her brother and pursued dance, vocal lessons, and acting at her mother's behest. By 19, Mary had become a bathing suit model and performed as a member of The Rangerette, an equestrian group.

Discovery by a Casting Agent

Mary's striking resemblance to Rita Hayworth caught the attention of a casting agent who approached her after seeing her photograph in a magazine. Columbia Pictures signed her on the premise of her physical likeness to the iconic actress.

Film Debut and Acting Ambitions

Mary Castle made her on-screen debut in minor roles in 1948, but her name appeared in the credits in 1950. She went on to star in several films, including the western "Texans Never Cry" (1951) and the crime thriller "Three Steps to the Gallows" (1953). She simultaneously attended acting classes to hone her craft.

Television Breakthrough and Emmy-Winning Series

In 1952, Mary made her television debut in "Racket Squad." She landed leading roles in the Western "The Lawless Breed" and "Three Steps to the Gallows" in 1953. Her most notable role came as Frankie Adams' resourceful partner in the television Western "Stories of the Century," which won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Program Achievement.

Guest Appearances and Personal Life

During the late 1950s, Castle primarily appeared as a guest star in television series such as "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet," "Perry Mason," and "Cheyenne." She married and divorced three times, experiencing marital troubles and allegations of alcohol abuse.

Legal Issues and Professional Decline

In 1957, Mary was arrested for public drunkenness and reportedly attempted to bite and kick two deputy sheriffs. She was also found near-death on a Malibu beach in 1959. The studio, weary of her personal struggles and her growing dissatisfaction with her "Rita Hayworth lookalike" image, decided to end her contract.

Later Years and Death

Mary Castle retired to California and passed away from lung cancer at 67 on April 29, 1998, in Palm Springs, California. Despite her promising start and the comparisons to Rita Hayworth, her personal demons ultimately overshadowed her acting career.