Rosemary E. LaPlanche (October 11, 1923[1] – May 6, 1979) was an American beauty queen and actress.[2] She won Miss California three years in a row (1939–1941), and won Miss America in 1941.[3]
Rosemary LaPlanche | |
|---|---|
 LaPlanche in 1943 | |
| Born | Rosemary E. LaPlanche October 11, 1923 |
| Died | May 6, 1979 (aged 55) Glendale, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | San Fernando Mission Cemetery |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1930–1961 |
| Title | Miss America 1941 |
| Spouse |
Harry Koplan
(m. 1947; died 1973) |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Louise LaPlanche (sister) |
Early life
editLaPlanche moved to southern California from Kansas with her mother and sister, Louise LaPlanche, at a very early age.[4]
Career
editLaPlanche, who lived in Los Angeles, California, was Miss California in 1939, 1940 and 1941.[5] She was a finalist in 1939 and runner-up to Miss America in 1940.[3] A new rule after her victory disallowed contestants from competing at the national level more than once.[6]
LaPlanche became an actress, signing with RKO after she won the Miss America title.[7] She appeared in films such as Angels' Alley and in episodes of television programs like The Donna Reed Show. She and her husband had a daily TV program, the Harry Koplan-Rosemary LaPlanche Show, on KHJ in Hollywood.[8]
LaPlanche also worked as a model[9]
In the 1960s, LaPlanche acted on a long-time interest and began to paint. She began by buying a book on art and a set of paints, and she later took lessons. She described her work as "impressionistic — just this side of realistic".[10] Subjects of her works included birds, deserts, flowers, seashores, sheep, and people. In 1969, her paintings sold for prices ranging from $35 to $600,.[10]
Personal life
editShe was married to Harry Koplan from 1947 until his death in 1973, and had two children: a daughter Carol and son Terry. She died from cancer in 1979, aged 55.[11] She is interred in San Fernando Mission Cemetery.[12]
Partial filmography
edit- One Hundred Men and a Girl (1937) - Girl (uncredited)
- Mad About Music (1938) - Schoolgirl (uncredited)
- Irene (1940) - Charity Ball Guest (uncredited)
- Fall In (1942) - Canteen Girl (uncredited)
- Two Weeks to Live (1943) - Miss LaPlanche, Dr. O'Brien's Nurse
- Prairie Chickens (1943) - Yola
- Swing Your Partner (1943) - Secretary
- The Falcon in Danger (1943) - Falcon's Nurse (uncredited)
- Mexican Spitfire's Blessed Event (1943) - Minor Role (uncredited)
- Gildersleeve on Broadway (1943) - Model (uncredited)
- The Falcon and the Co-eds (1943) - Co-Ed (uncredited)
- Around the World (1943) - Rosemary (uncredited)
- The Falcon Out West (1944) - Mary (uncredited)
- Show Business (1944) - Chorine (uncredited)
- Step Lively (1944) - Louella, 'Daughter' in Rehearsal (uncredited)
- Mademoiselle Fifi (1944) - Amanda (uncredited)
- Youth Runs Wild (1944) - Blanche (uncredited)
- None but the Lonely Heart (1944) - Dancer (uncredited)
- Heavenly Days (1944) - Minor Role (uncredited)
- Girl Rush (1944) - Troupe Member (uncredited)
- What a Blonde (1945) - Showgirl (uncredited)
- Pan-Americana (1945) - Pan-American Girl (uncredited)
- Having Wonderful Crime (1945) - Guest (uncredited)
- Zombies on Broadway (1945) - Entertainer in Sarong (uncredited)
- George White's Scandals (1945) - Showgirl (uncredited)
- Johnny Angel (1945) - Hatcheck Girl (uncredited)
- Strangler of the Swamp (1946) - Maria Hart
- Devil Bat's Daughter (1946) - Nina MacCarron
- Betty Co-Ed (1946) - Glenda Warren
- Jack Armstrong (1947, Serial) - Betty Fairfield
- Angels' Alley (1948) - Daisy Harris
- An Old-Fashioned Girl (1949) - Emma Davenport
- Federal Agents vs. Underworld, Inc. (1949) - Laura Keith
References
edit- ^ "California Birth Index, 1905-1995". Ancestry.com. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
- ^ "Rosemary La Planche - Obituary". The New York Times. May 8, 1979. Archived from the original on August 11, 2021. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
- ^ a b "California Girl, 19, Is Chosen 'Miss America'". The Birmingham News. September 7, 1941. p. 1. Retrieved September 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Carolin, Lisa (September 8, 2012). "Former Hollywood actress Louise LaPlanche of Ann Arbor dies at 93". AnnArbor.com. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
- ^ "Miss California History". Miss California. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
- ^ "Miss America History 1941". Archived from the original on September 23, 2006. Retrieved December 30, 2006.
- ^ "TV Beauty Rosemary LaPlanche To Be MC for Theater Party". The San Bernardino County Sun. May 8, 1956. p. 8. Retrieved September 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Tierney, Jack (March 14, 1954). "Echo of 20th and Market". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 153. Retrieved September 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Shaffer, Rosalind (April 18, 1946). "'Miss America' Is Forced To Work Hard for Roles". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Associated Press. p. 20. Retrieved September 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Handsaker, Gene (March 28, 1970). "She Transfers Beauty to Art". The Fresno Bee. Associated Press. p. 7. Retrieved September 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Rosemary La Planche - Obituary". The New York Times. May 8, 1979. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
- ^ Wilson, Scott. Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons, 3d ed.: 2 (Kindle Locations 25047-25048). McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. Kindle Edition.
External links
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