Mamie's Hollywood
Click here for Hollywood Archives




SANDRA DEE
1941-2005

I was playing the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas with my first night club act in 1957 when, on opening night, Donna Holloway (the only woman exeuctive at Universal Studios) brought a bright young actress up from L.A. to see my show: Sandra Dee. (Coincidently, it was the night Elvis Presley came to my show and my first meeting with him.) Sandra had asked to come to Vegas to watch me perform and to meet me. Sandra's career followed a different path than mine, though, like me, she would eventually be dropped by Universal because part of her personal life didn't fit with her studio image. In my case it was the birth of my son, Perry. For Sandra, it was because of her divorce from her husband, singer Bobby Darin.

During the time that Sandra was married to Bobby, they lived across the street from me on Rising Glen Road, just off Sunset Plaza Drive. We saw each other occasionally as neighbors will, and we were casual friends.

I learned recently that Sandra's health was in decline. She had been undergoing kidney dialysis for some years and was confined to her home. Kidney failure, perhaps as the result of her alcoholism and anorexia, had taken its toll. Sandra died today, just before sunrise. The skies have wept for her today, as I have.

Rest well, Gidget. Until we are neighbors again.




Goodnight, Johnny

The passing today of Johnny Carson is a great loss. Johnny and I were friends from 1962 to 1972. During that decade I was a regular guest on the Tonight Show. Because of that exposure, Johnny was a major factor in my career. But Johnny was more than just someone who kept me in the public eye, he was a charming, sexy, and witty companion with whom I shared many dates and memories. We shared Midwestern roots that we had grown up in. Johnny died today of complications from emphysema. I always told him that he smoked too much. It's hard to put into words what you feel about someone who has been such a large part of your life. Here's what I wrote about Johnny in my book "Playing the Field" in 1987.

What Johnny creates for the viewing audience is the perfect television companion, someone you can comfortably invite into your bedroom night after night just for laughs. He is part gee-whiz Midwesterner, part New York/Hollywood sophisticate. He is the boy next door who made it big. Johnny cuts across all social boundaries, and it has made him as famous as anyone in television history.

Sleep well, Johnny. I love you. Until we meet again.





Tribute to Arthur Miller

Read it!




Janet Leigh passed away on Sunday, October 3, 2004, and now the world is a little darker. I first met Janet on the set of Howard Hughes' movie, "Jet Pilot" when she was a big star and I was just a working actress. We shared a silent limo ride, star and unknown, from the location one day back to the studio. Janet was always gracious and beautiful. Her health, I'm told, had been failing for a year or more. But though she may have looked frail in recent appearances, she always carried herself like a Movie Star. (The shot above was taken at the Oscars a few years ago.)

One star will shine a little brighter tonight, thanks to Janet's spirit. Sleep well, princess.





Howard Keel
1919-2004
It seems I'm writing these farewells much too often these days. One of the all time great leading men in movies, Howard Keel, passed away yesterday from colon cancer. Howard's career spanned six decades. He made an indelible mark on the movies with roles from Annie Get Your Gun, Show Boat, and Kismet to appearances on Hart to Hart and Dallas. I spoke to Howard at the Hollywood Celebrities and Collectors Show last January where he was hale and hearty, charming as ever, and still had that silky voice. A great one that will be surely be missed.



Marlon Brando
1924-2004

A great talent passes, long after he became a legend. The only photo I have of Brando is the one below from 1954 when he taught our Universal Talent School acting class. (Brando is the one with the beard, sitting on the stool.) Far too many of this group are now gone. From left to right seated: Dani Crane, Colleen Miller, John Saxon (sitting on the floor), Mamie, David Jansen, Brando, Barbara Rush, and Jane Howard. Back row standing, Karen Kadler, Liegh Snowdon, Richard Long, the then unknown Clint Eastwood, next to Clint someone I don't recognize, Kathleen Case, and Grant Williams. He was a dear friend, a powerful influence, and he'll be greatly missed. Sleep well, Marlon.


Jan Sterling 1921-2004
I am so saddened to report that my dear friend Jan Sterling passed away today, Friday, March 27, 2004 at the Motion Picture and Television Fund's hospital facility.

I appeared with Jan in High School Confidential, and it was one of the high points of my career. We spoke for a long time at the Hollywood Collector's Show in Studio City in January of this year. Her son had recently passed away and she felt the loss terribly. My deepest condolences to the rest of her family and friends. She was beautiful, sweet, down-to-earth, classy, and fabulously talented. I know she is at peace now. Sleep well, beautiful Jan. Flights of angels sing you to your rest.
Love, Mamie



Jan Sterling





All done up in cowboy drag to go party and SHARE!

The work done by Planet Hope, an organization founded by Sharon Stone and her sister Kelly, and the Share organization benefit abused and disadvantaged children. Last night's Boomtown party was the annual fund raising event. You can tell from Sharon's and Kelly's expressions that it was a resounding success.

A tip of my hat to all the wonderful work everyone in the Share Organization does to benefit children.
My date for the night was talk show host, Hollywood man-about-town, and my dear friend, the incomparable Skip E. Lowe.

This lovely lady was at my table and I was shocked to find out that she is 80 years young.

The gorgeous Mitzi Gaynor was at our table. I'm on the lap of our table's host, handsome Jody Berry. Jody's wife, the stunningly beautiful Joni, is Chairman of the Board of the Share organization.
Skip and Jody ham it up for the camera.
Back in the home corral, I'm still posing for pictures.
Cowgirls don't like to go to bed early all the time.

Of course, no evening would be complete without some pictures of the girls. Starlet is sleepy...
...but she still wants kisses from her mommy.

And MORE kisses!
Rainbow is still in ear drag, after having the traditional pinscher cut. The ears are healed and beautiful. The tape is to train them to stand up straight. (BTW, the lovely blue lapis pendant I'm wearing was a gift from my friend in Afganistan, Kevin Nagel and his wife Mickey. Thanks, you two!)

Tucked into bed, Rainbow and Starlet are just like kids. They want to play a little more before sleepy time.






The occasion was the birthday of everyone's favorite glamour king and genius, the original Playboy, Hugh Hefner. Since no cameras are allowed into Playboy Mansion parties these days, I got some shots for you before I left home and a couple after I returned. My new Roberto Cavalli dress was the hit of the party. All the girls loved it and they flocked around paying homage, making me feel really wanted and at home. There's always a small crowd of insiders at Hef's birthday parties, and most of the usual suspects were there, including sexy June Wilkinson; TV interviewer, Skip E. Lowe; Debbie Devin, Diana Dors daughter; artist Olivia DeBerardinis; long-time pal and Lakers owner, Jerry Buss, (I've known Jerry since he came here from Wyoming and financed a couple of my movies); movie reviewer, David Sheehan; and number one Laker fan, Jack Nicholson. Missing was my gorgeous pal, Julie Strain, who was feeling under the weather. She was greatly missed!



There's nothing more lovely than a spring night for photos...
...in the courtyard at Villa Star. (Here you get a great shot of the bruises on my legs from a rollerblading spill. Note to self: never roller blade with the dogs!)

Unfortunately, sweet puppies are not allowed at the Playboy Mansion...

...so I said goodbye to Starlet and Rainbow and hit the freeway.
And a few hours later, they are glad to see their mommy, still with her Playboy Mansion stamp on her hand...

...and want to tussle on the bed before going off to puppy dreamland.

Hollywood Archives

 Home People Are Talking Mamie Today Mamie's Hollywood Bedtime Stories Autographed Pictures Friends Filmo- graphy Email Fan Club Vietnam Stories Order Page Video Clips Paper Dolls

Revised July 6, 2004 © Copyright Mamie Van Doren
All Rights Reserved