Carol Lynley

Carol Lynley (born Carole Ann Jones; February 13, 1942 – September 3, 2019) was an American actress known for her roles in the films Blue Denim and The Poseidon Adventure (1972).

Lynley began her career as a child model before taking up acting. She won the Theatre World Award as "one of the most promising personalities for 1956–57" for her performance in The Potting Shed.

Lynley had first appeared on a local television show and at the age of 14 she was signed as a child model. She then appeared on live TV shows, the Goodyear Television Playhouse, Alfred Hitchcock Presents and Danger Route. had already registered the name in the Actors' Equity Association. She modified it by using the final syllable of Carolyn and fusing it with Lee to make Lynley. She appeared on the April 22, 1957, cover of Life identified as "Carol Lynley, 15, Busy Career Girl" at age 15.

In her teenage years, Lynley appeared in several Clairol and Pepsodent advertisements that were publicized across the country. She won the Theatre World Award as "one of the most promising personalities for 1956–57" for her performance in The Potting Shed. In 1960, she was again nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer – Female for the film Blue Denim. She starred in the Otto Preminger directed thriller Bunny Lake Is Missing (1965). Lynley played Jean Harlow in the biopic Harlow (1965), co-starring Ginger Rogers, but the film failed at the box office. Her many other series appearances include The Big Valley, Mannix, It Takes a Thief, Night Gallery, The Invaders, Kojak, Hawaii Five-O, Tales of the Unexpected, Hart to Hart and Charlie's Angels.

In 2000, in an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle, Lynley discussed the difficulty faced by middle-aged actresses in finding roles. She predicted she'd have a comeback in old age, stating, "I don't mean to sound conceited, but I am a very talented actress, and I have my head screwed on right." And she added "I'm not going to drug clinics, I look good, and I've got all my marbles. So I really believe I'll be back."

Personal life and death In 1960, Lynley married publicist Michael Selsman. The marriage produced one child, Jill Selsman (a director of short films), and ended in divorce in 1964.

Lynley died aged 77 of a heart attack on September 3, 2019, at her home in Pacific Palisades, California. She was cremated; her ashes were scattered at sea off the Southern California coast.

Selected filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 1958 The Light in the Forest Shenandoe 1984 Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense Sylvia Daly "In Possession"

Awards and nominations