Pamela Baird (born Pamela Beaird; April 6, 1945) is a former television actress, best remembered for playing Mary Ellen Rogers, the girlfriend of Wally Cleaver on Leave It to Beaver. Baird was born in Bexar County, Texas. In 1963, she graduated from Covina High School in Covina, California,[1] and then graduated from Westminster Choir College, Princeton, New Jersey, in 1968.
Pamela Baird | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 6, 1945 |
| Other names | Pamela Beaird Pamela Baird Pamela Beaird Hensley |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1955–1964 |
| Spouses |
Robert H. Hensley
(m. 1973; died 2016) |
| Children | Robert Henry II John David Stephen Paul Daniel Jonathan Elizabeth Katherine |
In 1973, Baird married fellow Texan Robert Hensley, and the couple had five children.[2]
Acting career
editHer first recurring role was of Hildy Broeberg on the 1956–1957 western series My Friend Flicka.[3] She played Nancy, one of Kelly's (Noreen Corcoran's) friends on the sitcom Bachelor Father from 1957 to 1962.[4]
Baird is best known for her role as "Mary Ellen Rogers", the girlfriend of Wally Cleaver on Leave It to Beaver from 1957 to 1963. Her last acting roles were guest appearances on Mr. Novak and Perry Mason in 1964.[4]
Later life
editIn January 1973, Baird became reacquainted with Robert H. Hensley, a friend from the Hollywood Christian Group.[2] Hensley had been an actor, using the professional name of Bob Henry. He also recorded songs, using the name Jericho Brown,[5] and in 1960 he had a top ten hit, Look For a Star.[6]
The couple married, had five children, and the family traveled the country starting churches and singing Gospel songs.[2] In 2005, Baird (Pamela Beaird Hensley) earned a degree in music from Southwestern Assemblies of God University. Her husband died on May 22, 2016.[2]
References
edit- ^ Covina High School Alumni List http://covinahighschool.org/alumni-list-b.html
- ^ a b c d Obituary for Robert Hensley, Boze Mitchell McKibbin Funeral Home https://memorials.bozemitchellmckibbin.com/robert-hensley/2659333/obituary.php
- ^ Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh, The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946 – Present, 1st Edition, page 426, Ballantine Books, 1979
- ^ a b Bob Leszczak, From Small Screen to Vinyl, page 16, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2015
- ^ Screen Actor, Volumes 18-21, Screen Actors Guild, 1976
- ^ Honor Roll of Hits (Look For a Star #6 - Jericho Brown), Billboard, August 15, 1960, page 32