June Allyson was born Eleanor Geisman and was raised by her single mother. She had a passion for show business from an early age and although she was struck by a large falling tree limb when she was young and was predicted to never walk again, she worked hard at walking and later taught herself to dance by imitating her favorite screen personalities, namely Ginger Rogers. She auditioned for a Broadway show on a dare and shocked herself when she was given a small part. Her participation in successful shows like Panama Hattie and Best Foot Forward lead her to be chosen among her fellow cast members to appear in the film version of the latter show.
From there she won a contract at MGM and became a big star playing sweet women who came to embodJune Allyson was born Eleanor Geisman and was raised by her single mother. She had a passion for show business from an early age and although she was struck by a large falling tree limb when she was young and was predicted to never walk again, she worked hard at walking and later taught herself to dance by imitating her favorite screen personalities, namely Ginger Rogers. She auditioned for a Broadway show on a dare and shocked herself when she was given a small part. Her participation in successful shows like Panama Hattie and Best Foot Forward lead her to be chosen among her fellow cast members to appear in the film version of the latter show.
From there she won a contract at MGM and became a big star playing sweet women who came to embody the ideal wife and mother to the soldiers fighting in WWII.
Following her first husband Dick Powell's death in 1963, June tried to stay busy but struggled with alcohol for a time. She continued working for decades and appeared in both movies and on television.
June was married to three men and had two children. ...more
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