Jody Lawrance
| Jody Lawrance | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
Nona Josephine Goddard October 19, 1930 Fort Worth, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | July 10, 1986 (aged 55) Ojai, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1949–1962 |
| Spouse(s) | Robert Wolf Herre (m. 1962–1986) Bruce Michael Tilton (m. 1956–1961) |
| Children | Victoria P. Tilton, Robert Wolf Herre, Jr., Chrissy A Herre |
Jody Lawrance (October 19, 1930 – July 10, 1986), sometimes known by the surname Lawrence, was an American actress who starred in many Hollywood adventures during the 1950s through the early 1960s.
She was born October 19, 1930 as Nona Josephine Goddard, or Josephine Lawrence Goddard (sources disagree) in Fort Worth, Texas to Ervin Silliman "Doc" and Eleanor Roeck Goddard. In 1935, Jody's father, Doc, married Grace Mckee. Grace and her foster daughter, Norma Jean Baker (Marilyn Monroe) moved in with the family in Van Nuys, California and the two become stepsisters.
As a teenager, Jody attended Beverly Hills High School and The Hollywood Professional School training as an actor with Bento Schneider. In 1946, Jody performed as a swimmer in the Larry Crosby Water Show.
In 1949, she adopted the screen name Jody (short for Josephine) Lawrance (her maternal grandmother's maiden name) for her first role as Mary on The Silver Theater television show.
Her first big break came in 1949 when she was signed to a 7-year contract with Columbia Pictures, earning $250 per week. In 1951, Jody made her screen debut in Mask of the Avenger starring John Derek. The Family Secret was her second film, again starring Derek along with Lee J. Cobb, followed by Ten Tall Men co-starring Burt Lancaster, which premiered in October 1951. As the leading lady in three major movies, Jody was on her way to becoming a star.
In 1952, she won the lead role in The Son of Dr. Jekyll with Louis Hayward and The Brigand starring Anthony Dexter. In 1953, Columbia asked Jody to make a musical, All Ashore with Mickey Rooney. Unsure of her singing ability, Jody asked to be replaced by another actor who would be better suited for the role. Columbia refused, and Jody reluctantly made the movie, but the studio branded Jody as a troublemaker, and in 1953 she was released from her contract.
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