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Deborah Walley
1941-2001
Updated 7/27/2007.
biography
Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on August 12, 1941, to parents who were professional ice skaters in Icecapades, as a child Deborah Walley was more interested in dramatics rather than skating, so her parents enrolled her in drama classes. In her teenage years she began getting good notices in off-Broadway stage productions, but her acting career took off when she was cast in the starring role in her first film, Gidget Goes Hawaiian (1961; with James Darren). After her stint as Gidget, Walley then made a few Disney films, such as Bon Voyage! (1962; with Fred MacMurray and Tommy Kirk). However, she soon returned to beach party and youth-oriented films, most notably at American International (AIP), where she acted in a number of beach party genre films. Walley starred in such teen films as Ski Party (1965; with Frankie Avalon and Yvonne Craig), Beach Blanket Bingo (1965; with Annette Funicello and John Ashley), The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini (1966; with Tommy Kirk and Boris Karloff), and It's a Bikini World (1967; with Tommy Kirk). In addition, she also dabbled in singing, first doing numbers for Sergeant Deadhead (1965; with Frankie Avalon and Eve Arden) and Ski Party, which showcased her pleasant voice, and she eventually released a few singles.
LEFT: Campy Halloween promotional photo from 1965. RIGHT: Early 1970s photo
Walley married fellow AIP actor/director John Ashley on April 28, 1962, and their son, Anthony, was born on May 4, 1963. Walley and Ashley acted in a few pictures together, including Beach Blanket Bingo and Sergeant Deadhead, before they parted company in 1966.
the films of deborah walley
Gidget Goes Hawaiian (1961)
From Columbia's Gidget Goes Hawaiian, Deborah Walley's first film. LEFT: With Michael Callan as Eddie. RIGHT: With James Darren, Michael Callan, and Vickie Trickett
Bon Voyage! (1962)
From the cute Disney movie Bon Voyage!. LEFT: With Tommy Kirk, Fred MacMurray, Kevin Corcoran, and Jane Wyman as the Willard family. RIGHT: With Michael Callan
The Young Lovers (1964)
With Nick Adams and Peter Fonda in the MGM college student drama The Young Lovers
Beach Blanket Bingo (1965)
Ski Party (1965)
The Bubble (1966)
From Arch Oboler's 3-D science fiction flick The Bubble with Michael Cole
Spinout (1966)
Walley portrays a drummer in Elvis Presley's band in MGM's musical Spinout. LEFT: Drummer Les cozies up to Elvis. RIGHT: With Jack Hawkins, Elvis Presley, and Jack Mullaney
It's a Bikini World (1967)
Benji (1974)
Walley with Christopher Connelly in the children's film Benji
later years
After making several more films and landing a starring role in the NBC sitcom series The Mothers-in-Law (1967-1969) with Eve Arden and Kaye Ballard, Walley remarried and cooled her acting career. However, on occasion she resurfaced in such films as The Severed Arm (1973) and Benji (1974; with Peter Breck); in addition, she did some TV guest shots in the 1980s. In 1993, Walley published the children's book Grandfather's Good Medicine, which is available from Amazon.com.
Walley looks remarkably youthful in this photo taken in Australia in 2000
In the late 1990s, Walley renewed her acting career and signed many photos at autograph conventions. Tragically, in late 2000 Walley was diagnosed with cancer and passed away on May 10, 2001, at the age of 59. She was survived by three sons.
The Complete Gidget Collection [DVD] DVD
First, "Gidget" (1959) stars Sandra Dee as the young beach bunny who must choose between surfer boyfriends Cliff Robertson and James Darren. Arthur O'Connell, Doug McClure, Yvonne Craig co-star. Next, everyone's favorite surfin' girl (Deborah Walley) heads to Waikiki and finds fun and romance in "Gidget Goes Hawaiian" (1961). With James Darren, Michael Callan, Peggy Cass. And, finally, when the bubbly blonde prima donna of the ocean waves (Cindy Carol) takes the Eternal City by storm, it seems Moondoggie's got some competition from a suave Italian charmer, in the fluffy romantic misadventure "Gidget Goes to Rome" (1963). James Darren, Cesare Danova co-star. 299 min. total on two discs. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo.
Bon Voyage! [DVD](1962) DVD
Harry Willard's (Fred MacMurray) dream vacation with his family in France was everything he expected and then some: he didn't count on his wife (Jane Wyman) having to dodge a relentless Hungarian admirer, his daughter (Deborah Walley) taking up with a young playboy, and his being lost in the Paris sewer system. 132 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: Spanish.
Summer Magic [DVD](1963) DVD
Delightful Disney family film, based on the book "Mother Carey's Chickens," about widow Dorothy McGuire and her children working to keep their family together in a small town in turn-of-the-century Maine. Hayley Mills, Eddie Hodges, Deborah Walley, and Burl Ives also star. 109 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital mono, Spanish Dolby Digital mono.
Spinout (1966)/Double Trouble [DVD](1967) DVD
With three women (a spoiled rich girl, a man-hungry author, and his band's drummer) out to snare him, racecar driver/singer Elvis Presley sure has his hands full in "Spinout." With Shelley Fabares, Diane McBain, Deborah Walley, Carl Betz. 90 min. And, the "Double Trouble" that follows singer Presley around Europe in this breezy musical are a beautiful young heiress and some jewel thieves after both of them, but there's still plenty of time for him to do such songs as "Long-Legged Girl," "Could I Fall in Love?" and even "Old MacDonald"! With Annette Day, John Williams. 185 min. total. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish, French; theatrical trailers.
Benji [DVD](1975) DVD
America's most huggable hero makes his screen debut, as marvelous mutt Benji finds a family to call his own, fights kidnappers, and even finds true love. Deborah Walley, Edgar Buchanan, and Higgins as Benji star; Charlie Rich sings the theme song. 87 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English mono; scene access.
Benji Two-Pack [DVD] DVD
Two-disc boxed set includes "Benji" and "For the Love of Benji."
Great Cannibal Classics 3 On 1 [DVD] DVD
Includes "I Eat Your Skin," "The Severed Arm" starring Deborah Walley, and "The Undertaker and His Pals."
deborah walley dvds available from amazon.com
filmography
FILM
Benji (1974) with Peter Breck, Frances Bavier, Terry Carter, Edgar Buchanan, and Tom Lester
The Severed Arm (1973) with Marvin Kaplan
Drag Racer (1971) with Jeremy Slate and Preston Pierce
The Bubble (1967) with Michael Cole
It's a Bikini World (1967) with Tommy Kirk, Sid Haig, and Suzie Kaye
Spinout (1966) with Elvis Presley, Shelley Fabares, Diane McBain, Dodie Marshall, Jack Mullaney, and Will Hutchins
The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini (1966) with Tommy Kirk, Aron Kincaid, Quinn O'Hara, Patsy Kelly, Basil Rathbone, and Boris Karloff
Beach Blanket Bingo (1965) with Frankie Avalon, Annette Funicello, John Ashley and Linda Evans
Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine (1965) with Frankie Avalon, Dwayne Hickman, and Vincent Price
Sergeant Deadhead (1965) with Frankie Avalon, Eve Arden, Cesar Romero, John Ashley, and Donna Loren
Ski Party (1965) with Aron Kincaid, Frankie Avalon, Dwayne Hickman, Yvonne Craig, and Robert Q. Lewis
The Young Lovers (1964) with Peter Fonda and Nick Adams
Summer Magic (1963) with James Stacy and Hayley Mills
Bon Voyage! (1962) with Fred MacMurray, Tommy Kirk, Michael Callan, and Jane Wyman
Gidget Goes Hawaiian (1961) with James Darren, Michael Callen, Peggy Cass, and Vicki Trickett
TELEVISION
Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers (1989) voiceover work
Simon & Simon, episode The Last Big Break, originally aired October 30, 1986
The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries, episode Mystery of the Avalanche Express, originally aired 1978
The Virginian, episode With Love, Bullets and Valentines, originally aired October 7, 1970
The Mothers-In-Law (1967-69) TV series with Kaye Ballard and Eve Arden.
Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., episode Lies, Lies, Lies, originally aired June 24, 1966
Wagon Train, episode The Nancy Styles Story, originally aired November 22, 1964
Route 66, episode Ten Drops of Water, originally aired November 11, 1960
Naked City, episode To Walk In Silence, originally aired November 9, 1960
deborah walley links
Elvis' Women
Greg Altenberger's site is amazing! Click on the link above to go to his Elvis' Women site for more photographs and information regarding Deborah Walley, Julie Parrish, Debra Paget, and many more.
Elvis! The King and his Court features information not only about Elvis Presley and his films; it also covers Elvis' co-stars.
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This page premiered March 3, 1998.
Counter reset March 1, 2001.
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