Gale Robbins (born Betty Gale Robbins, May 7, 1921 - February 18, 1980) was an American actress and singer.Born in Indiana, Robbins graduated from high school in June 1939 and began her career with the Phil Levant band in 1940. She married her high school sweetheart, Robert Olson, in November 1944 when he was in the Air Force.Starting as a model and nightclub singer she made her film debut in In the Meantime, Darling in 1944 and appeared in several films, such as Calamity Jane and My Dear Secretary (1948). She later focused on TV, hosting Hollywood House from 1949 to 1950. She released the album I'm a Dreamer, backed by Eddie Cano and his orchestra, in 1958. She made three guest appearances on The Bob Cummings Show between 1955-1958.Robbins died of lung cancer at the age of 58.
I'm a little worried about Hollywood. People have forgotten there is anything else in the world out there but careers and motion pictures. As they sometimes put it, they've gotten so they are believing their own publicity. That's one thing that's not happening to me.
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Fact
1
According to Laura Wagner in her full-length article on Gale, the actress/singer once was supposed to replace actress Rose Marie in the Broadway hit "Top Banana" but had to drop out due to illness. She later turned down a lead role with Alfred Drake in the Broadway musical "Kismet" because she did not want to commit to a year's contract.
2
In the late 1940's, she was offered a long-term contract from MGM, but she turned it down and remained a freelancing talent.
3
Gale's husband of 25 years, Robert Olson, a building contractor, was killed in 1967 when he fell off a wall in an Encino parking lot. He was also survived by their two children.
4
Turned down a lead role on Broadway in "Finian's Rainbow" in favor of a support role in the film My Dear Secretary (1948) at RKO.
5
Once chairwoman of the Asthmatic Foundation in Arizona. She also was a fundraiser for such charities as the City of Hope.
Actress
Title
Year
Status
Character
Stand Up and Be Counted
1972
uncredited
Gunsmoke
1966
TV Series
Maude
Valentine's Day
1965
TV Series
Perry Mason
1965
TV Series
Evelyn Bronson
Mister Ed
1962
TV Series
Miss Meed
Thriller
1962
TV Series
Mary Jerold
The Untouchables
1961
TV Series
Lorna Willis
Markham
1960
TV Series
Amy Rae
The Comedy Spot
1960
TV Series
Lacey 'The Face' Sinclair
77 Sunset Strip
1960
TV Series
Terry Staunton
Bourbon Street Beat
1960
TV Series
Magda Lazar
Philip Marlowe
1960
TV Series
Kay Reed
Johnny Midnight
1960
TV Series
Schatzi
Alcoa Theatre
1959
TV Series
Lacey Sinclair
M Squad
1959
TV Series
Dolly Pyper
State Trooper
1959
TV Series
Dawn Corday
Gunsmoke in Tucson
1958
Lou Crenshaw
The Bob Cummings Show
1955-1958
TV Series
Philippa / Kay Van Lockett / Philippa Farnsworth
Quantrill's Raiders
1958
Kate
Trackdown
1957
TV Series
Sherry LaMare
The Millionaire
1957
TV Series
Cynthia Saunder
The Red Skelton Hour
1956
TV Series
Bolivar's Girlfriend
Celebrity Playhouse
1956
TV Series
Passport to Danger
1956
TV Series
The Ford Television Theatre
1954-1955
TV Series
Kathy Claibourne / Coco
Damon Runyon Theater
1955
TV Series
Amy / Marvel Delaney
The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing
1955
Gwen Arden
Double Jeopardy
1955
Marge Baggott
My Little Margie
1955
TV Series
Climax!
1955
TV Series
Calamity Jane
1953
Adelaid Adams
The Brigand
1952
Countess Flora
The Belle of New York
1952
Dixie 'Deadshot' McCoy
Strictly Dishonorable
1951
Marie Donnelly
Between Midnight and Dawn
1950
Terry Romaine
The Fuller Brush Girl
1950
Ruby Rawlings
Three Little Words
1950
Terry Lordel
Oh, You Beautiful Doll
1949
Marie Carle
The Barkleys of Broadway
1949
Shirlene May
My Dear Secretary
1948
Dawn O'Malley
Race Street
1948
Elaine Gannin
My Girl Tisa
1948
Jenny Kepes
Mr. Hex
1946
Gloria Williams
The Windjammer
1945
Bob's Daughter
In the Meantime, Darling
1944
Shirley Pianatowski
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
M Squad
1959
TV Series performer - 1 episode
State Trooper
1959
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Gunsmoke in Tucson
1958
performer: "I Need a Man"
Calamity Jane
1953
performer: "It's Harry I'm Planning to Marry"
Harry James and His Music Makers
1953
Short performer: "I've Got a Crush on You", "I'm in a Jam with Baby"
Between Midnight and Dawn
1950
performer: "PLEASE DON'T KISS ME", "I WANT TO LEARN ABOUT LOVE"
The Fuller Brush Girl
1950
performer: "Put the Blame on Mame"
Three Little Words
1950
performer: "All Alone Monday"
Oh, You Beautiful Doll
1949
performer: "Oh! You Beautiful Doll", "When I Get You Alone Tonight"
Race Street
1948
performer: "I Saw You First", "I'm in a Jam with Baby", "Love That Boy" - uncredited
Mr. Hex
1946
performer: "A Love Song to Remember", "One Star Kissed Night"
In the Meantime, Darling
1944
performer: "How Many Times Do I Have to Tell You" - uncredited