Beverly Jo Morrow (born November 1, 1939)[1] is an American actress who played the female lead in six B films between 1958 and 1964, and supporting roles in four major studio features, as well as appearing in 12 television episodes. Following a six-year absence, she returned to the screen in 1970, but, after a few minor supporting roles in exploitation films such as Terminal Island and Doctor Death, she retired again in 1976.

Jo Morrow
Born
Beverly Jo Morrow

(1939-11-01) November 1, 1939 (age 85)
OccupationActress
Years active1958–1976
Spouse
Jack Barnett
(m. 1963; div. 1984)
Children2

Early years

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Morrow was born in Cuero, Texas. She won the 1958 Miss Pasadena (California) title and represented the city in that year's Miss California contest.[2]

Career

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Through a "Be a Star" contest, Morrow won a film contract with 20th Century Fox (with Gary Cooper in Ten North Frederick) in 1958. After only one film with 20th Century-Fox, she moved to Columbia Pictures, allegedly because a producer at 20th Century Fox tried to make a pass at her.[1] At Columbia, she made some 10 films and a dozen TV series episodes between 1958 and 1963, the most notable being Our Man in Havana, in which she played Alec Guinness's daughter Milly. In 1962, Morrow appeared as Melanie Wells on the TV Western Lawman in the episode titled "The Bride".

Personal life

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On June 30, 1963,[3] Morrow married Jack Barnett, songwriter for Jimmy Durante.[1] She gave up movies to look after her daughter Dawn who was born deaf in 1964.[1] Son James followed two years later.[1] She had a brief comeback in a few exploitation films and TV series episodes in the 1970s.

Filmography

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Year Film Role
1958 Ten North Frederick Waitress
1959 Juke Box Rhythm Princess Ann
1959 Gidget Mary Lou
1959 The Legend of Tom Dooley Laura Foster
1959 Our Man in Havana Milly Wormold
1960 13 Ghosts Medea Zorba
1960 The 3 Worlds of Gulliver Gwendolyn
1962 Brushfire! Mary Carter
1963 Sunday in New York Mona Harris
1964 He Rides Tall Kate McCloud
1973 Blume in Love Bar Hostess
1973 Terminal Island Newswoman
1973 Doctor Death: Seeker of Souls Laura Sanders

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Jo Morrow - The Private Life and Times of Jo Morrow. Jo Morrow Pictures". glamourgirlsofthesilverscreen.com. Archived from the original on 2017-07-06. Retrieved 2015-10-10.
  2. ^ "Redhead Selected as 'Miss Pasadena'". California, Pasadena. Pasadena Independent. May 17, 1958. p. 1.
  3. ^ "Actress Jo Morrow Marries Songwriter". The Bridgeport Post. Connecticut, Bridgeport. The Bridgeport Post. July 1, 1963. p. 5. Retrieved March 2, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.  
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