Norma Jean Nilsson

Norma Jean Nilsson (born January 1, 1938) is a former child actress in old-time radio and films.

Early years Nilsson is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Arthur V. Nilsson. Her father was a professor of anatomy at the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic. She has an older brother, Arthur Jr. She began performing when she was 3 years old and was active during World War II, entertaining troops at Army camps across the United States. Newspaper columnist Louella Parsons wrote in 1946 that Nilsson had an IQ of 162.

Radio When Nilsson was 4 years old, she won a talent contest on Tune-Out Time on KECA. At 5, she made her "first big-time radio appearance", portraying a dying girl on Free World Theatre. At 8, her picture was featured on the cover of the July 21, 1946, issue of Radio Life magazine.

Nilsson played Cookie (the Bumsteads' daughter) in the radio version of Blondie, Kathy (the Andersons' younger daughter) on the radio version of Father Knows Best, Glory Mae (the "little girl who lives next door") on The Jack Carson Show., and as the lead actress Lois to Raymond Burr's antagonist in the "Murder on Mike" (1957) episode of Suspense.

She was also heard on Luke Slaughter of Tombstone, Cavalcade of America and the radio version of Have Gun, Will Travel.

Film Nilsson was seen in Suspense (1946), The Actress (1953) and The Green-Eyed Blonde (1957). She also appeared on the TV series Official Detective as Mary in the 1957 episode 'The Night It Rained Bullets'.