Irene Vernon (born Irene Vergauwen, January 16, 1922 – April 21, 1998) was an American actress.

Irene Vernon
Vernon in 1947
Born
Irene Vergauwen

(1922-01-16)January 16, 1922
DiedApril 21, 1998(1998-04-21) (aged 76)
Resting placeSaint Joseph Catholic Cemetery
Other namesIrene Rosenberg
OccupationActress
Years active1947–1966

Background

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Vernon was born Irene Vergauwen in Mishawaka, Indiana, and graduated from Mishawaka High School. Following graduation, she moved to New York to become an actress.[1] Her career began with small uncredited roles in 1940s movies. Vernon ended her movie career in 1952, but during the 1950s, she began performing television roles.

Career

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Throughout the early 1950s, Vernon guest starred in shows such as Fireside Theater, The Lone Ranger, Danger, Flight, Dennis the Menace Christmas Show and The Donna Reed Show. In 1964, Vernon began portraying Louise Tate on the hit television series Bewitched. Vernon held the role until 1966.

After writer Danny Arnold left the series, the producers, actress Elizabeth Montgomery and Montgomery's husband, director William Asher, reportedly pressured Vernon to also leave the show due to her friendship with Arnold (although the official reason given was that Vernon's husband was ill). The role of Louise Tate was later taken over by Kasey Rogers.[2]

On Broadway, Vernon performed in The Lady in Ermine (1922).[3]

Personal life

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On July 29, 1944, Vernon married U. S. Army Major Edward Duryea Dowling in Englewood, New Jersey. Before his military service, Dowling had been a director of musical shows.[4]

On March 26, 1993, Vernon married Emanuel Rosenberg in Miami Beach, Florida. He preceded her in death on October 28, 1997.[5]

Death

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Irene Rosenberg (as she was known at the time of her death) died on April 21, 1998, in South Bend, Indiana, aged 76.[5] Death certificate indicates from congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease. She is interred in Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Mishawaka, Indiana.[6]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
1946 Till the Clouds Roll By Showgirl Uncredited
1947 The Secret Life of Walter Mitty Goldwyn Girl Uncredited
1948 The Pirate 'Nina' Showgirl Uncredited
1948 A Song Is Born Woman at Crow's Nest Uncredited
1950 The Sound of Fury Helen Stanton
1951 The Blue Veil Adult Stephanie Uncredited
1952 Deadline – U.S.A. Mrs. Burrows Uncredited
1960 High Time Matron Uncredited

References

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  1. ^ "1948 film at park to have local connection". South Bend Tribune. August 7, 2008. p. E 2. ProQuest 417595252. Retrieved December 5, 2020 – via ProQuest.
  2. ^ Twitch Upon a Star: The Bewitched Life and Career of Elizabeth Montgomery
  3. ^ "Irene Vernon". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  4. ^ "Major Dowling Weds". The New York Times. July 31, 1944. p. 11. ProQuest 106977643. Retrieved December 5, 2020 – via ProQuest.
  5. ^ a b "Irene V. Rosenburg". The South Bend Tribune. April 23, 1998. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  6. ^ Wilson, Scott. Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons, 3d ed.: 2 (Kindle Locations 25047-25048). McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. Kindle Edition.
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