June Allyson: Biography of the Beloved Golden Age Hollywood Star
Discover the life and career of June Allyson, one of Hollywood’s most cherished stars from the Golden Age known for her charm and memorable roles.
Ella Geisman was born on October 7, 1917. June began her career as a chorus girl, later becoming a dancer and singer. Her film debut was in the film “Girl Crazy”, alongside Mickey Rooney in 1943. June Allyson was considered by her peers to be a sincere, happy and jovial little girl.
At the age of eight, she was struck by a heavy tree branch that had broken off due to lightning, causing her serious injuries and immobilizing her for a long period. During that time, she went to the movies a lot and tried to learn Ginger Rogers’ steps, never dreaming that the two would become friends.
It was perhaps the movies that motivated her to walk again. She loved musicals and began her career as a dancer on Broadway. She was also a chorus girl and was chosen to replace Betty Hutton in the musical Panama Hattie. It was this show that opened doors for her and allowed her to be seen in a different light by MGM. But the road would be very long. She would still make many small appearances.
It was only in 1942 that she got a contract with MGM, where she would star in musicals. She became a sort of “girl next door” and was considered Judy Garland’s replacement when she couldn’t or wasn’t able to make a film. Contrary to what it may seem, they became great friends.
In 1944, she met Dick Powell while filming Meet the People (1944). The following year, they were already together. The couple had two children with Dick Powell. There are reports that the actress had an affair with actor Alan Ladd while they were working on Flying to the Beyond (1955), and they considered separating from their spouses. However, they ended up separating.
She would remain married to Dick until his death in 1963. A few months later, she was married again, this time to her late husband’s barber, Alfred Glenn Maxwell. They remained together until 1970, with brief separations. Her last marriage would come in 1976 to the doctor David Ashrow, with whom she remained until his death in 2006. She was 88 years old and suffered from respiratory failure.
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