Helen Westcott

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Helen Westcott
Westcott in 1950
Born
Myrthas Helen Hickman

(1928-01-01)January 1, 1928
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
DiedMarch 17, 1998(1998-03-17) (aged 70)
OccupationActress
Years active1934–1977
Spouses
(m. 1948; div. 1953)
Joseph Johnson-Smith
(m. 1975; died 1981)
Children1[1]
Parent

Helen Westcott (born Myrthas Helen Hickman,

The Gunfighter (1950).[5]

Early years

Westcott was born on New Year's Day, 1928. She was the daughter of singer Hazel McArthur

studio actor Gordon Westcott.[6] Her father died from a polo accident when she was seven years old.[5]

When she was two years old, Westcott appeared in vaudeville with her mother. At age seven, she began a nine-year run playing the daughter on stage in a production of The Drunkard in Los Angeles.[7]

Westcott attended Los Angeles City College.[5]

Film

When Westcott was 4 years old, she appeared in a series of short films. At 5, she appeared in the full-length Thunder Over Texas.[7] She appeared opposite Gregory Peck in the western classic The Gunfighter released in 1950. She was also known in part for her role in Charles Lamont's 1953 comedy horror film Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Television

Westcott in the 1960 Bonanza episode "The Fear Merchants"

Westcott moved from the big screen to television

Wanted Dead Or Alive.[4][8]

Later years

Westcott also appeared on the stage later in her career, as well as in films including Anthony Mann's God's Little Acre in 1958.[4]

Personal life

Westcott wed actor Don Gordon on February 18, 1948. In 1950, they had a daughter, Jennifer. They were divorced in 1953.[5]

Westcott was a registered Republican and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[9]

Death

Westcott died of cancer in Edmonds, Washington on March 17, 1998. Her body was cremated.[6]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1934 Thunder Over Texas Betty 'Tiny' Norton
1935 The Affair of Susan Engaged Girl on Stoop Uncredited
A Midsummer Night's Dream Cobweb
1936 Without Orders Little Girl Uncredited
1937 Maid of Salem Little Girl Uncredited
1941 Henry Aldrich for President Student Uncredited
1948 13 Lead Soldiers Cynthia Stedman
Smart Girls Don't Talk Toni Peters
Adventures of Don Juan Lady Diana
1949 Alaska Patrol Mary Lynn
Flaxy Martin Peggy Farrar
Homicide Jo Ann Rice
Mr. Belvedere Goes to College Tri Gam Coed Uncredited
One Last Fling Annie Mae Hunter
The Girl from Jones Beach Miss Brooks
Whirlpool
Simms' Secretary Uncredited
Dancing in the Dark June Uncredited
1950 Backfire Miss Haller – Receptionist at Mortuary Uncredited
Three Came Home Woman Prisoner Uncredited
The Gunfighter
Peggy Walsh
1951 Take Care of My Little Girl Merry Coombs
The Secret of Convict Lake Susan Haggerty
1952 Phone Call from a Stranger Jane Trask
Return of the Texan Averill Murray
With a Song in My Heart Jennifer March
Loan Shark Martha Haines
Battles of Chief Pontiac Winifred Lancaster
1953 Cow Country Linda Garnet
The Charge at Feather River Anne McKeever
Gun Belt Arlene Reach
Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Vicky Edwards
1956 Hot Blood Velma
I Killed Wild Bill Hickok Belle Longtree
1958 God's Little Acre Rosamund
The Last Hurrah Mrs. McCluskey Uncredited
Invisible Avenger Tara O'Neill
Monster on the Campus Nurse Molly Riordan
1959 Day of the Outlaw Vivian
1960 Studs Lonigan Miss Julia Miller
Cimarron Miss Kuye – Schoolteacher Uncredited
1963
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
Mrs. Helen Fletcher Season 1 Episode 22: "Diagnosis Danger" (credited as Hellena Westcott)
1970 Pieces of Dreams Mrs. Straub
I Love My Wife Mrs. Burrows

Source: The Encyclopedia of Fantastic Film: Ali Baba to Zombies[10]

References

  1. ^ "Helen Westcott – The Private Life and Times of Helen Westcott. Helen Westcott Pictures".
  2. . Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  3. ^ a b c Oliver, Myrna (March 26, 1998), "Helen Westcott; Stage, Screen Actress Began Career at 4", The Los Angeles Times, retrieved September 25, 2009
  4. ^ a b c d e Wagner, Laura (Fall 2016). "Helen Westcott: "A Very Gifted Actress"". Films of the Golden Age (86): 74–76.
  5. ^ . Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  6. ^
  7. ^ An Interview with Helen Westcott, Skip E. Lowe, 1990
  8. . Retrieved November 14, 2016.

External links