Jean Carson
Carson in the TV seriesFrontier Doctor (1959)
Born	Jean Leete Carson (1923-02-28)February 28, 1923 Charleston, West Virginia, U.S.
Died	November 2, 2005(2005-11-02) (aged 82) Palm Springs, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1949–1977
Spouse(s)	Leonard S. Smith, Jr.
Children	2
Website	hellodoll.com

Jean Leete Carson^{[citation needed]} (February 28, 1923 – November 2, 2005) was an American stage, film and television actress best known for her work on the classic 1960ssitcomThe Andy Griffith Show as one of the "fun girls".

Carson was born inCharleston, West Virginia.^[1]

Carson's early theatrical work included acting in productions of the Kanawha Players.^[2] She made her Broadway debut inGeorge S. Kaufman'sBravo (1948), which garnered her aTheater World Award.^[1] Her other Broadway work includedThe Bird Cage (1950) andAnniversary Waltz (1954).^[3]

Carson went on to appear in many pioneering television series, includingStudio One,NBC Presents,The Twilight Zone (as Paula in "A Most Unusual Camera", a part written especially for her byRod Serling)^{[citation needed]} andThe Ford Theatre Hour. She continued to make guest starring appearances throughout the 1950s, including Paula inPeter Gunn in 1958 as well as a regular role on 1959'sThe Betty Hutton Show.

She played the part of a saloon owner (Maggie) who takes in an orphan in season 1 episode 9 of the seriesSugarfoot in 1958.

OnThe Andy Griffith Show, Carson had a brief role as Naomi in a 1962 episode ("Convicts at Large" withJane Dulo andReta Shaw), but her most popular role was Daphne, one of the "fun girls",^[1] who appeared withJoyce 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".^[4]

In February 1964, she had a featured role as a nosy neighbor in "The Case of the Bountiful Beauty", season 7, episode 17 ofPerry Mason.

Carson had roles in films such as 1955'sThe Phenix City Story and 1958'sI Married a Monster from Outer Space.

She earned fourth billing in the 1968Peter Sellers comedyThe Party, perhaps her best-known film. Her last film role was 1977'sFun with Dick and Jane.

Carson was married to Leonard Smith, Jr.,^[5] who was the assistant manager of the Roxy Theater.^[6]

On November 2, 2005, Carson died in Palm Springs, California,^[1] from complications of astroke; she was 82 years old.^[7] She was survived by two sons.^[8]

Wikimedia Commons has media related toJean Carson.

• "Hello Doll" - Official website
• Jean Carson atIMDb
• Jean Carson at theInternet Broadway Database
• 2003 Jean Carson interview atChristian Activities

• 1923 births
• 2005 deaths
• American film actresses
• American stage actresses
• American television actresses
• Carnegie Mellon University College of Fine Arts alumni
• Actresses from Charleston, West Virginia
• Actresses from Los Angeles
• Actresses from Palm Springs, California
• 20th-century American actresses

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