Molly Bee (August 18, 1939 – February 7, 2009), born Mollie Gene Beachboard, was an American country music singer famous for her 1952 recording of the early perennial, "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus", and as Pinky Lee's sidekick on The Pinky Lee Show. Bee was also well known in the 1950s in Los Angeles, California as a regular on Hometown Jamboree, a local television program featuring Tennessee Ernie Ford, later the host of NBC's The Ford Show. She also appeared several times on The Ford Show during its five-year run (1956–1961).
August 18, 1939, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Died
February 7, 2009, Oceanside, California, United States
Place Of Birth
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
Profession
Soundtrack, Actress
Education
Rosemead High School
Nationality
American
Spouse
Ira Allen
Children
Bobbi Carey, Lia Genn, Michael Allen, Willy Claus, Sweet Shoppe Sweetheart, Don't Start Courtin' in a Hot Rod
Albums
I Got A Man, Make Love to Me, Days to Come
Nominations
Academy of Country Music Award for Television Personality, Academy of Country Music Award for Female Vocalist of the Year, Willy Claus, Sweet Shoppe Sweetheart, Don't Start Courtin' in a Hot Rod
Movies
The Young Swingers, Chartroose Caboose, Summer Love
Star Sign
Leo
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Fact
1
Singer, actor and ex-husband Ken Miller (aka Kenny Miller), in his 2006 autobiography "Hollywood Inside & Out: The Kenny Miller Story" speaks candidly about his brief marriage to Molly, and the circumstances that precipitated it, and its quick demise. He does avoid issues, however, about his sexuality.
2
As a little girl she wanted to be a ballerina.
3
Married at least five times, she called herself "the Zsa Zsa Gabor of the country music set." Her marriage to country singer Ira Allen lasted 10 years. After divorcing Allen, she married businessman Bob Muncy and in 1986 moved her family to Oceanside, California, where Muncy operated "Jerry's Club".
4
Her family moved to Los Angeles when she was 11. She graduated from Hollywood Professional High School.
5
Survived by three children: Lia Genn, Michael Allen and Bobbi Carey.
6
Fell victim to drug addiction and had to take several years off the road as she rebuilt her life. She re-emerged in 1975 with "Good Golly Ms. Molly," this time on the Granite Records label. Her comeback was successful, producing two charting singles: "She Kept on Talking" and "Right or Left at Oak Street". In 1982, she released her final album, "Sounds Fine to Me", and remained a popular concert draw.
7
Raised in Belt Buckle, Tennessee, she didn't start singing until her family moved to Tucson, Arizona.
8
Had a string of country hits throughout the 1950s, including "Young Romance," "Don't Look Back" and "5 Points of a Star".
9
Over the past decade before her death, she fought non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
10
Opened a dinner club in Oceanside called Molly Bee's in the early 1990s.
11
Nominated for a Grammy Award for her ballad "(I Wish I Was A) Single Girl Again." Throughout the 1960s and 1970s she appeared regularly in Las Vegas, and performed at fairs and rodeos with such country performers including Johnny Cash.
12
Among the singing stars she who squired her around during her 1950s peak were Elvis Presley and Tommy Sands.
13
A classmate, Jimmy Boyd, also recorded "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus", and the two duetted on Ed Sullivan's variety show in late 1952.
14
At age 10, she was discovered by singing cowboy Rex Allen. On his radio show she won over audiences with her performance of the Hank Williams classic "Lovesick Blues".
15
Country music singer and former vocal prodigy who had a huge recording hit at age 13, after signing with Capitol Records, with the Christmas novelty song "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" then found TV teen idol success on the 1950s variety shows Hometown Jamboree (1949) and The Pinky Lee Show (1954).
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