Jo-Carroll Dennison
Jo-Carroll Dennison | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 16, 1923 Florence, Arizona, U.S. |
| Died | October 18, 2021 (aged 97) |
| Title | Miss America 1942 |
| Predecessor | Rosemary LaPlanche |
| Successor | Jean Bartel |
| Spouse(s) |
Russell Stoneham
(m. 1954; div. 1981) |
| Children | 2 |
Jo-Carroll Dennison (December 16, 1923 – October 18, 2021) was an American actress and model who was Miss America 1942 and one of the first to object to wearing a swimsuit during her reign. At the time of her death, she was the oldest surviving former Miss America.
Early years
Dennison was born on December 16, 1923, in Florence, Arizona, the daughter of Elizabeth (née Brownd) and Harry Arthur Dennison, who ran a traveling medicine show in Texas.[1][2] She was born in the infirmary of a men’s state prison in Arizona, delivered by the prison doctor as he was the only medical help her travelling parents could find.[3] Her father had wanted her to be born in California so the couple had been driving west from Texas when her mother went into labour.[3]
Her family later lived in San Francisco, Santa Barbara, California, and Tyler, Texas.[1] She graduated from Hale Center High School in 1940,[2] and was a stenographer in Tyler.[4]
Pageantry
Dennison was crowned Miss America September 12, 1942, after having entered the contest as Miss Texas.[1] She had earlier won both the talent and the swimsuit competitions in the contest.[5] As Miss America during World War II, much of her time was spent visiting "defense plants, hospitals and service camps" and selling war bonds.[6] She refused to wear a swimsuit as part of her role as Miss America.
Film career
After her time as Miss America, Dennison went to Hollywood. On November 18, 1942, 20th Century Fox signed her to a seven-year contract.[7] She had roles in Winged Victory and The Jolson Story.[6] She made appearances on the Dick Tracy series in 1950.[8]
Personal life
Dennison married comedian Phil Silvers on March 2, 1945.[6][9] They divorced March 8, 1950.[10] The union produced no children. Dennison later married television producer, Russell Stoneham, and had two sons with him, Peter and John.[11] She lived in Idyllwild, California, in the San Jacinto Mountains.[12][13]
Dennison died on October 18, 2021, at the age of 97.[14][3]
She published an autobiography in September 2021, Finding My Little Red Hat.[15]
References
- ^ a b c "Miss America '42 Is Texan". The Wilkes-Barre Record. September 14, 1942. p. 16. Retrieved October 9, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b ""Miss America" To Visit Hale Center". Lubbock Morning Avalanche. January 1, 1943. p. 1. Retrieved October 9, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c Seelye, Katharine Q. (2021-10-29). "Jo-Carroll Dennison, Miss America During World War II, Dies at 97". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-10-30.
- ^ "(untitled brief)". The Waxahachie Daily Light. August 17, 1942. p. 1. Retrieved October 9, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "'Miss America' Named Tonight". Santa Ana Register. September 12, 1942. p. 1. Retrieved October 9, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "Miss America History 1942". Archived from the original on 2012-05-02. Retrieved 2012-05-10.
- ^ "Jo Carroll Dennison, Miss America of 1942, Given Movie Contract". The Waco News-Tribune. November 18, 1942. p. 1. Retrieved October 9, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Barnes, Mike; Barnes, Mike (2021-10-30). "Jo-Carroll Dennison, Miss America Winner Turned Actress, Dies at 97". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2021-10-31.
- ^ "Jo-Carroll Dennison Is To Wed On Friday". The Piqua Daily Call. March 2, 1945. p. 1. Retrieved October 9, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Mate Stays With Mother-in-Law". The Ogden Standard-Examiner. March 9, 1950. p. 8. Retrieved October 9, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Tauber, Michelle; Neill, Mike; Russell, Lisa; Fowler, Joanne; Dam, Julie; Tresniowski, Alex; Miller, Samantha; Dougherty, Steve; Yu, Ting (October 16, 2000). "American Beauties: 80 Years". People.
- ^ PINE COVE: Reflection from 1942 Miss America’s home
- ^ A Miss America story
- ^ "Jo-Carroll Dennison, oldest ex-Miss America and longtime Idyllwild-area resident, dies". Retrieved October 18, 2021.
- ^ "Jo-Carroll Dennison, Miss America 1942, Dies at 97". Extra. Retrieved 2021-10-31.
External links
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