Allyson, June (1917–)

American actress. Born Kathryn Ann Eleanor "Ella" van Geisman, Oct 7, 1917, in the Bronx, NY; dau. of Arthur van Geisman (building superintendent) and Clare van Geisman; m. Dick Powell (actor-director), Aug 19, 1945 (died 1963); m. Alfred Glenn Maxwell (Dick Powell's barber), 1963 (div. 1965, rem. 1966, div.); m. David Ashrow (dental surgeon), Oct 30, 1976; children: (1st m.) Pamela (adopted Aug 10, 1948); Richard Jr. (b. Dec 24, 1950); (stepchildren) Ellen Powell and Norman Powell.

Popular star of the 1940s and 1950s, with her husky-voice, tiny lisp, and Peter Pan collars, 1st appeared in the chorus line in Broadway's Sing Out the News (1938); shared a showstopper "The Three B's" with Nancy Walker and Erlene Schools in hit musical Best Foot Forward; arrived in wartime Hollywood (1943), having been signed for Best Foot Forward, then landed a part in Girl Crazy, followed by Thousands Cheer and Meet the People; made 1st appearance in trademark bangs for Two Girls and a Sailor; typecast as the girl-next-door, made movie after movie in rapid succession: Music for Millions, Her Highness and the Bellboy, The Sailor Takes a Wife, Two Sisters from Boston and Look for the Silver Lining; also appeared as Jo in the remake of Louisa May Alcott's Little Women (1949); left MGM and signed on for the highly successful Glenn Miller Story opposite Jimmy Stewart at Universal; teamed with Stewart for 2 more pictures: The Stratton Story and Strategic Air Command; against type, played the insanely possessive wife in The Shrike (1955).

See also autobiography (with Frances Spatz Leighton), June Allyson (Putnam, 1982); and Women in World History.