Bess Myerson became the first Jewish American and the first Miss New York to win Miss America pageant in 1945. She appeared on various television shows in the 1950s and 1960s. In the 1970s and 1980s, she was involved in New York City politics.
July 16, 1924, The Bronx, New York City, New York, United States
Died
December 14, 2014, Santa Monica, California, United States
Place Of Birth
The Bronx
Height
5 ft 9 in (1.77 m)
Profession
Politician, Model, Actor
Education
Hunter College
Nationality
United States of America
Spouse
Arnold Grant (m. 1962–1967), Allan Wayne (m. 1946–1958)
Children
Barra Grant
Parents
Bella Podell, Louis Myerson
Movies
Miss America
TV Shows
I've Got a Secret, Candid Camera
Star Sign
Cancer
#
Fact
1
Experienced a mild stroke in 1981, from which she made a full recovery.
2
Gave birth to her only child at age 24, a daughter named Barbara Carol Wayne (aka Barra Grant) on December 24, 1948 in New York, New York, U.S. Child's father is her now ex-1st husband, Allan Wayne. She later was adopted by her 2nd husband, Arnold M. Grant, who she later divorced too.
3
She can play the flute.
4
In 1988, Bess Myerson was arrested in Pennsylvania for shoplifting $44 in goods from a drug store. She was fined. At the time, she was involved in a stressful lawsuit over a different matter. She was facing charges for bribery and conspiracy stemming from hiring a judge's daughter, presumably to influence the judge to rule favorably toward Myerson's lover in his divorce case. The scandal became known as the "Bess Mess".
5
Served as Commissioner of Cultural Affairs for New York City (1983-1987).
6
Served as Commissioner of Consumer Affairs for the city of New York (1969-1973) and was responsible for passing the best consumer protection legislation in the U.S. at that time.
Entered the Miss America pageant in 1945 in order to win the scholarship (the first year they offered one) with the aim of pursuing a career as a symphony conductor.
9
Is an ovarian cancer survivor.
10
Miss America 1945. The first and only Jewish woman to ever win the pageant to date (2014).
Actress
Title
Year
Status
Character
Frasier
1998
TV Series
Mary
It Happened to Jane
1959
Bess Myerson (uncredited)
The Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse
1954
TV Series
The Jackie Gleason Show
1954
TV Series
Announcer
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Howard Stern Show
1991
TV Series
Herself
Today
1982
TV Series
Herself
80th Tournament of Roses Parade
1969
TV Movie
Herself - Host
The Match Game
1963-1968
TV Series
Herself - Team Captain
The Mike Douglas Show
1968
TV Series
Herself
Personality
1967
TV Series
Herself
To Tell the Truth
1965-1967
TV Series
Herself - Panelist
I've Got a Secret
1958-1967
TV Series
Herself - Panelist
78th Annual Tournament of Roses Parade
1967
TV Movie
Herself - CBS Hostess
Candid Camera
1966
TV Series
Herself - Host / Herself - Hostess
76th Annual Tournament of Roses Parade
1965
TV Movie
Herself - Hostess
Password All-Stars
1962
TV Series
Herself - Celebrity Contestant
The Jack Paar Tonight Show
1960-1962
TV Series
Herself
The Tonight Show
1962
TV Series
Herself - TV Personality
Here's Hollywood
1962
TV Series
Herself
The Ed Sullivan Show
1960
TV Series
Herself
The Name's the Same
1954-1955
TV Series
Herself - Panelist
Miss America Pageant
1954
TV Special
Herself - Co-Hostess
Look Up and Live
1954
TV Series
Herself
The Colgate Comedy Hour
1952-1953
TV Series
Herself
Beat the Clock
1952
TV Series
Herself
The Big Payoff
1951
TV Series
Herself - Hostess
Help Yourself
1950
TV Series
Herself
The Jacques Fray Music Room
1949
TV Series
Herself
Look Upon a Star
1947
TV Series
Herself - Host
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
Candid Camera: 5 Decades of Smiles
2005
Video
Herself
American Experience
2002
TV Series documentary
Miss America 1945
Known for movies
I've Got a Secret (1958-1967) as Herself - Panelist
The Match Game (1963-1968) as Herself - Team Captain
The Big Payoff (1951) as Herself - Hostess
The Name's the Same (1954-1955) as Herself - Panelist
$3 Million
