Born: Marilyn Adele Dunlap, March 5, 1924
Died: February 11, 2011 (aged 86)
Occupation: Actress, Model, Writer
Years Active: 1940s–1980s
Myrna Dell was an American actress, model, and writer best known for her work in B-pictures, particularly in film noir thrillers and Westerns. She was one of the last of Hollywood’s glamour girls, and her career spanned several decades in both film and television.
Early Life and Career
Dell was born Marilyn Adele Dunlap on March 5, 1924, in Los Angeles, California. Her mother, Carol Price, was a silent-film actress, which likely influenced her own career in the entertainment industry. At the age of 16, Dell began working as a dancer in New York, performing with the Earl Carroll Revue. She made her film debut in the 1940 musical A Night at Earl Carroll’s. Following that, she appeared in notable films such as Ziegfeld Girl (1941), Raiders of Red Gap (1943), and Up in Arms (1943).
Hollywood Career
Dell’s early career saw her working with Monogram Pictures, a studio known for producing budget-friendly films for double-feature theaters. She played roles as an ingénue, including in the B-western Arizona Whirlwind (1944). Dell signed a contract with RKO Radio Pictures in 1944, where she worked prolifically in small roles in both “A” and “B” pictures. She gradually moved up the ladder at RKO, starting with chorus girl parts in films such as Show Business (1944) and working her way to featured roles in the studio’s mystery series, including The Falcon mysteries.
Dell found a niche in film noir thrillers, where she became known for playing sultry, hard-boiled characters, especially in films like Nocturne (1946), The Locket (1946), and Destination Murder (1950). Despite her glamour-girl image, Dell expressed a distaste for the role, stating that after a while, she grew bored with the superficial aspects of Hollywood life.
By 1948, her contract with RKO ended, and Dell began working as a freelancer for other studios like Republic, Columbia, Universal, Paramount, and Lippert, continuing to play seductive roles. Her final major role in films was in the Monogram Pictures comedy Here Come the Marines (1952).
Transition to Television
As her film roles became less frequent, Dell transitioned to television in the early 1950s. She appeared in several popular shows, including China Smith (1952), Gang Busters, Dragnet, The Ethel Barrymore Theatre, Batman, Hazel, The Donna Reed Show, and Maverick. Dell continued acting on TV through the 1960s and 1970s, with her last film appearance being in the comedy Buddy Buddy (1981).
Writing Career
In her later years, Dell became a writer and contributed to Hollywood: Then and Now Magazine, where she shared many stories from her time as an actress. She was particularly grateful to industry giants such as Jack L. Warner, Louis B. Mayer, and Samuel Goldwyn for their contributions to Hollywood and her career.
Personal Life
Dell was married twice. She married restaurateur Jack Buchtel in 1951, but they divorced a year later. In 1956, she married Herbert Patterson, an actor. Dell spent much of her life in California and lived in Studio City, where she continued to engage with her fans and maintain her personal website.
Dell passed away from natural causes on February 11, 2011, at the age of 86. She was one month shy of her 87th birthday. Dell was survived by her daughter, Laura Patterson, who later spread her mother’s ashes near the Hollywood Sign. Dell’s granddaughter, Ava Capri, followed in her footsteps and became an actress.
Legacy
Dell is remembered for her striking beauty and iconic roles in the B-movie circuit, especially within the film noir genre, and remains a notable figure of classic Hollywood cinema.
