Top Models by Samuel Claesson - HTML preview

Madelyn Darrow

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In addition to the fact that Madelyn Darrow did several films and was crowned Miss Rheingold, her sister was actress Barbara Darrow. Madelyn was born on February 26, 1935 in Newport Beach, California to George and Alice Wittlinger. Her name was Madelyn Constance Wittlinger, which she would later change to follow the footsteps of her sister who used the name Darrow as well. She had another sister named Alice, who was just as gorgeous but wouldn't pursue showbusiness.

After graduating from Hollywood High School, she appeared in The Adventures of Hajji Baba where she portrayed one of Elaine Stewart' s handmaidens. After failing to win Miss 102, she changed her surname to Darrow. It seemed to be effective because she was immediately cast in The Conqueror (1956) alongside her sister. She was then crowned Princess of the Los Angeles International Flower Show.

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Madelyn Darrow and Barbara Darrow ->

She dated a bevy of men including Gary Crosby, Robert Dix, Martin "Marty " Kimmel, Theodore "Ted" Kennedy, Ronald "Ronnie " Knox, Stuart Cramer III, Buddy Bregman, and Dennis James. She was considered for a role in Around the World in 80 Days (1956), but Mike Todd felt her to inexperienced. Instead, she participated in the nationwide tour with actresses Kipp Hamilton and Lori Nelson.

Madelyn then toured with the cast -and had a walk-on role- of Guys and Dolls (1955), visiting several countries and four continents. She became close friends with co-star Jann Darlyn. The two were inseparable. She 'd later appear in two additional films with Jann. They starred in The Ten Commandments (1956) and The Garment Jungle (1957) together. After leaving the industry, they 'd host dinners and practice tennis together. She claimed that while on tour, she got several marriage proposals overseas. She 'd later say "All these foreign boys were terrific, but I'll take an American any time."

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Madelyn Darrow and Suzanne Alexander in Guys and Dolls (1955) ->

Her breakthrough came in 1957 when she began competing for the title of Miss Rheingold. She was reportedly one of 500 applicants, which was narrowed to several finalists that included Marilyn Miner and Carolyn Stroupe. This involved months of touring -another tour that she had to endure- the country to encourage people to vote for her. It was one of the best years for Rheingold Beer, with roughly 20 million voters participating. While giving photographs to fans, she said to an enthusiastic reporter, "I think I had two bottles before starting this contest, but I' m beginning to like the beverage."

She was crowned Miss Rheingold in December 1957, accepting the honors in New York. She 'd spend the following year as the spokesmodel for Rheingold Beer, where she was told to say nothing but positive things about the popular beverage whether or not the statements were true.

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She -preferring the life of a socialite- married a tennis champion named Pancho Gonzalez on July 9, 1960 at Beverly Vista Presbyterian Church. They had twins named Christina and Marisa, and later had two additional daughters named Andrea and Shawna. Madelyn ' s career cooled afterwards. She devoted her life to her husband and children. She 'd even do tennis competitively in her spare time, with her husband coaching her.

Their marriage didn't pan out so well. They divorced twice after several reconciliations. She once said of the marriage, "People always ask me how I can live with such a vicious-looking terror. It' s easy because I' m the only person he can 't live without." They maintained a civil relationship while raising their four children.

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She gave her last interview on October 12, 2000 with the Daily News, where she said of her winning of

Miss Rheingold, "My prize was $50,000, ” They paid for my apartment on Sutton Place. I had a limousine at my disposal. I was so young. I thought that was how all New Yorkers lived." Although her death wasn't publicly reported, her niece told me in 2020 that she died in the 2010s. She was one of the oldest Miss Rheingold winners. She will be missed.

Madelyn Darrow and Pancho Gonzalez - 1960s

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