Jean Leete Carson (February 28, 1923 – November 2, 2005) was an American stage, film and television actress best known for her work on the classic 1960s sitcom The Andy Griffith Show as one of the "fun girls".
Early life Carson was born in Charleston, West Virginia.
Stage Carson's early theatrical work included acting in productions of the Kanawha Players. She made her Broadway debut in George S. Kaufman's Bravo (1948), which garnered her a Theater World Award. Her other Broadway work included The Bird Cage (1950) and Anniversary Waltz (1954).
Television
Carson went on to appear in many pioneering television series, including Studio One, NBC Presents, The Twilight Zone (as Paula in "A Most Unusual Camera", a part written especially for her by Rod Serling) and The Ford Theatre Hour. She continued to make guest starring appearances throughout the 1950s, including as Annie, a. saloon moll in "Wagon Train" S1 E12 "The Riley Gratton Story" in 1957. She played Paula in Peter Gunn in 1958 and had a regular role on 1959's The Betty Hutton Show.
She played the part of a saloon owner (Maggie) who takes in an orphan in season 1 episode 9 of the series Sugarfoot in 1958.
On The Andy Griffith Show, Carson had a brief role as Naomi in a 1962 episode ("Convicts at Large" with Jane Dulo and Reta Shaw), but her most popular role was Daphne, one of the "fun girls", who appeared with Joyce Jameson on a recurring basis from 1962 to 1965. Daphne was a notorious flirt who greeted her objects of affection with a throaty "Hello, doll".
In February 1964, she had a featured role as a nosy neighbor in "The Case of the Bountiful Beauty", season 7, episode 17 of Perry Mason.
Film Carson had roles in films such as 1955's The Phenix City Story and 1958's I Married a Monster from Outer Space.
She earned fourth billing in the 1968 Peter Sellers comedy The Party, perhaps her best-known film. Her last film role was 1977's Fun with Dick and Jane.
Personal life
Carson was married to Leonard Smith Jr., who was the assistant manager of the Roxy Theater.
Death On November 2, 2005, Carson died in Palm Springs, California, from complications of a stroke; she was 82 years old. She was survived by two sons.
Filmography Year Title Role Other notes1949NBC PresentsTV, 1 episodeThe Philco Television Playhouse TV, 1 episode1949–1952Studio OneMary WarrenTV, 3 episodes1950The Ford Theatre HourTV, 1 episodeThe TrapTV, 1 episodeRobert Montgomery PresentsTV, 1 episode1951The Adventures of Ellery QueenTV, 2 episodes1952Schlitz Playhouse of StarsModelTV, 1 episode1953Eye WitnessTV, 1 episode1954Inner SanctumVera Craig TV, 1 episodeThe MaskTV, 1 episodeThe Man Behind the BadgeTV, 1 episode1955The Phenix City StoryCassie1957The 20th Century Fox HourEthel MarzackTV, 1 episodeThe Gale Storm ShowJosephineTV, 1 episodeThe Court of Last ResortMyra NorthTV, 1 episodeM SquadDoris ColbyTV, 1 episode1958SugarfootLilly TV, 1 episodeBachelor FatherTV, 1 episodeThe Phil Silvers ShowBidgett HepperwhiteTV, 1 episodeI Married a Monster from Outer SpaceHelen RhodesDeath Valley DaysDella AllisonTV, 1 episodePeter GunnPearlTV, 1 episode1959Frontier DoctorFlo WarrenTV, 1 episodeThe Sound and the FuryMary EllenUncreditedGeneral Electric TheaterDorris KroskyTV, 1 episodeHere Come the JetsJeanThe Walter Winchell FileFlorrieTV, 1 episodeThe MillionaireMarie TV, 1 episode1959–1960The Betty Hutton ShowRosemaryTV, unknown episodes1960The Chevy Mystery ShowDonna TV, 1 episodeLock-UpTV, 1 episodeThe Twilight ZonePaula DiedrichTV, 1 episode1961RipcordBlanche TelfordTV, 1 episodeDanteGinny KaneTV, 1 episodesSanctuaryNormaThe Tom Ewell ShowDianeTV, 1 episodesCoronado 9Lois DixonTV, 1 episodeThe Untouchables Sylvia Orkins TV, 1 episode1962The Joey Bishop ShowMargeTV, 3 episodes Stoney BurkeMerleTV, 1 episode196377 Sunset StripViola DornTV, 1 episode1962–1965The Andy Griffith Show"fun girl" Daphne (3x) escaped convict Naomi (1x)TV, 4 episodes1964Perry MasonMrs. MitchellTV, 1 episodeOne Man's Way Woman Who Shoots HusbandBurke's LawEagle EyeTV, 1 episodeWendy and MeMrs. TalbotTV, 1 episode1966Chamber of Horrors Uncredited1967Warning ShotCocktail WaitressUncreditedGunnWaitressUncredited1968The PartyNannyThe OutsiderMary Potter TV, 1 episode1969Anatomy of a CrimeMary Potter Television movie1977Fun with Dick and JanePaula (final film role)
References
External links
"Hello Doll" - Official website
2003 Jean Carson interview at Christian Activities