During her time in Hollywood, she was an active member of the Hollywood Republican Committee.
Former beauty contest winner before coming to Hollywood.
Has two daughters, Mimi (born 3 April 1960) and Diane (born 20 February 1962), with Jacques Bergerac.
In 1965, while working on "Peyton Place" (1964), she suffered a near-fatal illness that included a pulmonary embolism, blood clots on both lungs, an enlarged heart, and pneumonia. Upon fully recuperating, she returned to the show after being temporarily replaced by Lola Albright.
Measurements: 35-23-36 (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine).
She became embroiled in heavy litigation and a messy divorce action with husband Jacques Bergerac, whom she accused of marrying famous women only to promote his career. Bergerac was previously married to Ginger Rogers.
She often complained that her character was not given enough to do in the series, and that Mia Farrow's character was monopolizing the story lines. She was quoted as saying, "I live much more drama and tragedy in my own life than I ever do on Peyton Place!" She was written out of show in 1968 and sued the series' producers.
She turned blonde for Young at Heart (1954) and remained that way for the rest of her career except for Battle Cry (1955).
Studied Drama at Southern Methodist University in Texas.
Unlike other prominent Hollywood actresses, she didn't have an 'official Italian voice', she was often dubbed by Renata Marini, Rosetta Calavetta and Dhia Cristiani. Lidia Simoneschi, Micaela Giustiniani and Clelia Bernacchi lent their voice to her at some point as well.
Was one of five children. Two older sisters died very young of complications from polio, and another younger brother was struck and killed by lightning while on a Dallas golf course. When she won the Oscar for Written on the Wind (1956), she dedicated the award to her late brother.
Won the Golden Apple Award as "Most Cooperative Actress" in 1965. The male counterpart went to John Wayne. Ironically, later that year she expressed her extreme dissatisfaction with her limited role on "Peyton Place" (1964). Three years later she was written off the show and sued 20th Century-Fox for $1.6 million for breach of contract. It was settled out of court.