Carla Balenda

Carla Balenda (born Sally Bliss, November 22, 1925) is an American former film and television actress.

Carla Balenda
Born
Sally Bliss

(1925-11-22) November 22, 1925
Carthage, New York, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active1944-1966
Spouse(s)Mr. Rutter[1]

Early life

She was born on November 22, 1925, in Carthage, New York, U.S.[1] She attended high school in Baldwin, Long Island, and participated in summer stock theatre.[2]

Career

Balenda had contracts with RKO Pictures and Columbia Pictures, but a 1954 newspaper article noted, "she didn't really hit her stride until she was chosen to be Mickey Rooney's TV love."[3]

After being billed as Sally Bliss in "a few minor roles in RKO productions," she changed her name to Carla Balenda.[4] She explained: "Sally Bliss was just too cute. And I'm not cute at all. That name would type me, probably in ingenue roles -- and I'm not the type."[4]

On television, Balenda portrayed Pat in The Mickey Rooney Show (1954-1955) and Betty Leonard on The Adventures of Dr. Fu Manchu (1955-1956).[5]

Filmography
Year Title Role
1944 Swing in the Saddle Judy Bayliss
Dancing in Manhattan Billie
Meet Miss Bobby Socks Pillow
1945 Eadie Was a Lady Doris
Rustlers of the Badlands Sally Boylston
1950 Hunt the Man Down Rolene Wood
1951 Sealed Cargo Margaret McLean
The Whip Hand Janet Keller
1952 The Pace That Thrills Eve Drake
Outlaw Women Beth Larabee
1953 Prince of Pirates Princess Maria
1954 Phantom Stallion Claire
1966 Seconds Operating room nurse

Television

References
  1. Ellis, Ralf. "Born in Carthage, Starred in Hollywood" (PDF). Carthage Tribune. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  2. "Hollywood Sights and Sounds". Corsicana Daily Sun. November 6, 1950. p. 3. Retrieved October 29, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. Lane, Lydia (November 5, 1954). "Routine for Beauty Explained by Actress". The Paris News. p. 3. Retrieved October 29, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Starlet's Real Monicker Too Cute For Movies". Lebanon Daily New. October 5, 1950. p. 33. Retrieved October 29, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. Aaker, Everett (2006). Encyclopedia of Early Television Crime Fighters. McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-6409-8. Pp. 26-27.
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