Maralou Gray (born July 6, 1931) is an American film, television, and theater actress, and an operatic lyric coloratura soprano singer, active from the late 1930s through the 1960s.
Early life
Maralou Daralene Beatty was born in Chicago, Illinois to Dorothy Gray, Orpheum Circuit solo ballet dancer and national dancing schools owner and Arthur Beatty, restaurateur. Maralou spent a great deal of time in the company of her maternal grandparents, physician and surgeon, Dr. William O. Gray and Margaret Gray of Chicago, Illinois. They legally adopted her at the age of 4, officially renamed her Maralou Daralene Gray and became her legal mother and father.
As a young girl, while singing the usual childhood songs, the family noticed that she had a lovely voice quality and a feel for music, so voice and piano lessons were started. At the age of 8, her coach took her to audition, and she was accepted as a contestant on radio's hit show- The Morris B. Sachs Amateur Hour. For the next 2 years, Maralou guested on many other radio programs, soloing at various live shows, meetings and church concerts.
In the summer of 1941, Dr. Gray retired and moved the family to San Diego, California. The following year, her vocal coach began to ease her into operatic arias, learning translations in Italian, Latin, French and Spanish. At the age of 13, a call was received from Everett Crosby, film talent agent and brother of Bing Crosby in Los Angeles. He indicated that Paramount Studios was searching for a new young Soprano. Mrs. Gray brought her to L.A., and Crosby accompanied her to the studio to audition. A limited contract was offered with the stipulation that she had to be located within 3 hours "call" from the studio. It was decided that she should complete schooling in San Diego as a move to LA was too difficult at that time.
The next two years, she logged over 80 personal appearances, including The Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park with over 1,400 attendees.
Career
In the summer of 1948, Maralou and family moved to Beverly Hills, after purchasing the historic Johnny "Tarzan" Weissmuller/Lupe Velez estate, "Villa Fontanas", on the corner of Rodeo Drive and Lomitas. Surrounded by the homes of major stars- Gene Kelly, the Iturbis, George Murphy, Rosalind Russell, Jackie Cooper, etc., the home soon became a hangout for many of the "up and coming" (now well known), young actors for home baked desserts, swimming, games, and volleyball. She entered MGM Studio, studied voice with the esteemed "Vocal Coach to the Stars", Arthur "Rosie" Rosenblum, followed by obtaining the official sponsorship of hit song composer, Jimmy McHugh, which resulted in many notable musical appearances.
Maralou worked on live television, appearing on Armchair Detective, The Betty White Show and many others. At 17, her blonde good looks and magnetic chartreuse eyes brought a group of modeling and beauty titles-"Miss Buick" - she became the national "face" for the ad campaign for Buick for 2 years, with the bonus of a new eye-catching car to drive around town. This was followed by "La Sirena Del Puerto De Los Angeles," (The Mermaid of Los Angeles Harbor), in celebration of the new massive L.A. Port, handling the intros for future Chief Justice Earl Warren (Then – Governor of California), ceremonies, speeches to welcome the first large liners to dock, plus many pictures for the press. Dubbed "Miss Hollywood Star" Gray became the unofficial "Mascot" of the "Hollywood Stars" Baseball Team. During the only year that the New York Yankees trained near Los Angeles, she was tagged to escort team members Rizzuto, DiMaggio, Yogi Berra, etc., for sightseeing around town and relaxation at her home.
In 1950, the casting director at Hal Roach Studios called Gray for a possible role in one of the first filmed television series, The Stu Erwin Show - Trouble With Father. More filmed television roles followed. With sponsorship by Rod Serling and Gene Barry, she became a long time member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, serving as a Blue Ribbon Emmy Panel Judge over the years.
Live theater was Maralou's real love and opportunities came along- Goldmarie and Pitchmarie at the Coronet, then signed by Maurice Schwartz (Yiddish Art Theater of New York), for a season at the Civic Playhouse Theater in Hollywood. She was hired as leading lady for "God, Man and Satan" (Faust), along with young actor, Leonard Nimoy.