Anna Rose Baker (July 23, 1930 – March 2, 2017) was an American actress, known for her appearance in classic films and television shows during the 1950s.

Ann Baker
Baker as Corliss Archer in Meet Corliss Archer, 1955
Born
Anna Rose Baker

(1930-07-23)July 23, 1930
DiedMarch 2, 2017(2017-03-02) (aged 86)
OccupationActress
Years active1947–1959
SpouseEarl Long

Early years

edit

Born Anna Rose Baker,[1] Baker was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Baker, one of 11 children.[2] She was graduated from Smith-Cotton High School in Sedalia in 1948.[3]

Career

edit
 
Ann Baker and Mary Brian in the Meet Corliss Archer episode "Corliss the Cheerleader"
 
John Eldredge with Ann Baker and Robert Ellis in Meet Corliss Archer, 1955

While she was a high school student, Baker worked as a model for Mademoiselle, Junior Bazaar, Thomassetti Shoes, and M. K. T. Railroad.[1] Moving to California increased her opportunities for modeling, and by July 1954, her image had been seen on "100 or more magazine covers, billboards and the like".[4]

Baker appeared in eight films and television programs between 1947 and 1959. Her film appearances include Men of the Fighting Lady (1954 - uncredited), playing Mary, and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers[5] (1954 - uncredited), as a town girl.

Her television credits included Meet Corliss Archer (1954), playing the title character;[6] Crossroads (1955), as Gloria Vaughn; Queen for a Day (1956); Casey Jones (1957), as Jeannie; Man with a Camera (1959), playing Bunny Hansen; and The Millionaire (1959), as Shirley. Her acting career ended in 1959.

By 1957, Baker felt that she was "caught in a teen-age trap" caused by her youthful appearance.[7] Although she was married and in her 20s, people still viewed her as teenaged Corliss Archer. "My looks are against me for the more mature roles," she said.[7]

Personal life

edit

Baker married Earl Long,[8] who worked in construction. She kept the marriage secret from her studio for a year.[9] Baker died on March 2, 2017, at the age of 86.[10]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "Jeans' Queen Contest Winners". The Sedalia Democrat. Missouri, Sedalia. March 11, 1948. p. 1wwpn. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  2. ^ "Sedalian on Cover Page". The Sedalia Democrat. Missouri, Sedalia. December 13, 1949. p. 1. Retrieved January 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Ann Baker, TV's 'Corliss Archer,' Visits Her Family, Friends Few Days in Sedalia". The Sedalia Democrat. Missouri, Sedalia. January 7, 1955. p. 3. Retrieved January 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Smith, Cecil (July 7, 1954). "Corliss Comes to TV Next Fall in Series Starring Ann Baker". The Los Angeles Times. p. 24. Retrieved January 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "'Corliss' Is Hopeful". The Baltimore Sun. December 12, 1954. p. 18 A. Retrieved January 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ Terrace, Vincent (2011). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. p. 677. ISBN 978-0-7864-6477-7.
  7. ^ a b Zerler, P. J. (July 27, 1957). "Caught in a Teen-age Trap!". Chicago Tribune. p. 45. Retrieved January 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Ann Baker, 'Corliss Archer' Appears for Cerebral Palsy". The Sedalia Democrat. Missouri, Sedalia. May 11, 1955. p. 1. Retrieved January 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Corliss Isn't 13 And Isn't Single". The Vancouver Sun. Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver. December 16, 1954. p. 2. Retrieved January 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Anna Rose Baker 1930–2017 – Ancestry®". www.ancestry.com. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
edit