Marilyn Maxwell (1921 - 1972)

Marilyn Maxwell was an American actress and entertainer, known for her blonde hair and sexually alluring persona. She appeared in several films and radio programs and entertained the troops during World War II and the Korean War on USO tours with Bob Hope.

Born Marvel Marilyn Maxwell on August 3, 1921, in Clarinda, Iowa, she started her professional entertaining career as a radio singer while still a teenager before signing with MGM Studios in 1942 as a contract player. Some of her film roles included Lost in a Harem (with Abbott and Costello), The Lemon Drop Kid (with Bob Hope), Rock-A-Bye Baby (with Jerry Lewis), Champion (with Kirk Douglas), Presenting Lily Mars, DuBarry Was a Lady, Thousands Cheer, and Forever, Darling.

On March 20, 1972, Marilyn Maxwell's 15-year old son arrived home from school and found her dead in her Beverly Hills home at the age of 50 of an apparent heart attack. Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and Jack Benny were honorary pallbearers at her funeral.