Betty Furness

Biography

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Elizabeth Mary Furness (January 3, 1916 – April 2, 1994) was an American actress, consumer advocate, and current affairs commentator. She began her professional career as a model before being noticed by a talent scout and being signed to a film contract in 1932 by RKO Studios. Her first film role was as the "Thirteenth Woman" in the film Thirteen Women (1932) but her scenes were deleted before the film's release. Over the next few years, she appeared in several RKO films, and became a popular actress. Among her film successes were Magnificent Obsession (1935) and the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers film Swing Time (1936). By the end of the decade, she had appeared in over forty films, but during the 1940s, she found it difficult to secure acting roles. In 1948, Furness was performing in the television series Studio One, which was broadcast live. She filled in for an actor to promote Westinghouse products during the advertisement break, and impressed the company with her easy and professional manner. They offered her a contract to promote their products and she thus became closely associated with them.

Known For

Swing Time

as Margaret Watson

Flying Down to Rio

as Belinha's Friend (uncredited)

Twelve Angry Men

as Herself / Commercial Spokeswoman

What's My Line?

as Self

Magnificent Obsession

as Joyce Hudson

Studio One

as Coral, Princess Livitski

The Colgate Comedy Hour

as Maggie Watson

Studio One

as Self - Commercial Spokeswoman

Climax!

as Beth Jaynes

Climax!

as Ann Kilgore