Dolores Michaels
Encyclopedia
Dolores Rae Michaels was an American
actress
.
Her father was at one-time a professional baseball player who spent time as a catcher
in the Chicago Cubs
organization. He then went into the food brokerage business.
Michaels had the same birthday as Franklin D. Roosevelt
, and before her third birthday her father sent the president a birthday card informing him of the connection. President Roosevelt replied with a message back to Dolores sending her "best wishes" on her birthday.
Studied ballet
from the age of five, and as a teenager went to New York City to study dance and drama.
Attended Bishop Hogan High School
in Kansas City, Missouri. Her older sister, Gloria J. Michaels had gone to New York City to dance on Broadway. Gloria joined the traveling cast of Brigadoon
, and when the show came to do the performance in Kansas City they ask a 16-year old Dolores to join them.
She moved to Laguna Beach, California
after marrying interior decorator Maurice Martiné in Laguna Beach on the rocks over looking the Pacific Ocean in 1953. Michaels moved out of their home and they separated in January 1958, moving into to a house with her older sister, Gloria, in Los Angeles. In January 1959, she filed for divorce, citing cruelty. At the divorce hearing she testified that Martiné had moved them into an expensive unfinished house, without heat or water, and that he expected her to bath in the ocean, something she didn't want to do because she was constantly catching a cold. The divorce was final on September 29, 1959. During her separation and after the divorce, she dated actor John Duke.
Michales was discovered when she was doing a scene in an acting class at 20th Century-Fox
's talent school. A group of producers and directors were in the audience, and after the scenes were finished, the audience voted on who gave the best performance. She won and got a contract with 20th Century-Fox.
Joanne Woodward
was supposed to have the part of "Mildred Pritchard" in The Wayward Bus
(1957), but Woodward dropped out to star in The Three Faces of Eve
, and the part went to Michaels at the last minute, her first acting role. United Press International
said in a review of the film that Michaels' "torrid" scene, a seduction scene in a hayloft where she makes a pass at the bus driver (Rick Jason
), "manages to steal the sexist scene in the picture," over better known sirens as Jayne Mansfield
and Joan Collins
. And also said that Hollywood had not had a scene like this since Jane Russell
in The Outlaw
. Director Victor Vicas
shot the scene twice, an "A" scene and a "B" scene because of the censors.
Her publicist released a biography that stated she had attended the University of Kansas
for one year and was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma
sorority. But, people, trying to remember if they knew her, at both the university and the sorority could find no record of her at either entity. The fact was that she had enrolled at the university in the fall of 1951 and was "rushed" by the sorority, but she only stayed at the school a few weeks and then dropped out, and she did not join the sorority. He publicist had fabricated her biography to enhance it.
Early in her Hollywood career she struggled with her weight, as she was a compulsive eater. After trying all kinds of diets, she realized that the problem was "mental." While a ballet dancer in New York City, her weight reached 152 pounds, this on a five-foot-five-inch frame. By the time she signed her contract with 20th Century-Fox, though, she weighed 135 pounds. She developed work-related anxiety; she would lose weight when she was not working, but once she got a role, she would start eating again, at times eating a two-pound box of chocolates in a single sitting. Michaels would eat fruit and cottage cheese all day and then raid the refrigerator at midnight, sometimes not even remembering that she had until she opened the refrigerator the next morning. The turning point came after the death of her father (he died April 15, 1959-); he was the one who had pushed her in her career, and without him, she felt lost. She went into psychological analysis and learned that she needed to "respect" her job. Michaels went down to 115 pounds and her career took off. She told Associated Press
Hollywood reporter Bob Thomas
: "I'm convinced that most weight problems stem from mental causes. But most people who lose weight on diets gain it back because they don't know the reasons why they crave food. Generally it is because of some frustration in their lives." Her psychologist told her to act and not dance ballet.
Michaels wanted to be taken seriously as an actor and not be treated as a sex symbol. When one reporter asked her for her measurements, she responded, "You can go to the wardrobe department and find out." She also said that she had never been asked to go to the studio photo gallery, stating, "That's part of the old Hollywood glamor nonsense. Also, it's in bad taste. I'm not a sexpot, I'm an actress". Later she told Hollywood columnist Erskine Johnson: "I favor the truly sensual photograph over the coyly teasing garter shots. I'd even rather be posed artistically nude than photographed giggling from behind a Venetian blind. I have never objected to posing. It's just that I wanted to build a career as an actress first".
After John Duke, she started dating Argentine actor Alejandro Rey
, whom she met on the set of Battle at Bloody Beach
. She then started dating Novelist-screenwriter Bernard Wolfe
(1915-1985), who proposed to her in 1962, but she sent the engagement ring back to him with a note that read, "I don't wanna". Michaels and Wolfe married in Los Angeles on June 1, 1964. The marriage was her second and his first. He was 48 and she was 31. The couple divorced in October 1969.
She and Wolfe had twin daughters, Jordan M. and Miranda I., born in Los Angeles on July 23, 1970.
Dolores Michaels Wolfe died at the age of 68 in West Hollywood, California, of natural causes on September 25, 2001.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actress
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
.
Biography
She was born in Kansas City, Missouri, to Esther Marie "Essie" (née Holcomb; 9 August 1899-30 September 1984-) and Raymond Roscoe "Ray" Michaels (7 October 1898-15 April 1959-).Her father was at one-time a professional baseball player who spent time as a catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
in the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
organization. He then went into the food brokerage business.
Michaels had the same birthday as Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
, and before her third birthday her father sent the president a birthday card informing him of the connection. President Roosevelt replied with a message back to Dolores sending her "best wishes" on her birthday.
Studied ballet
Ballet
Ballet is a type of performance dance, that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century, and which was further developed in France and Russia as a concert dance form. The early portions preceded the invention of the proscenium stage and were presented in large chambers with...
from the age of five, and as a teenager went to New York City to study dance and drama.
Attended Bishop Hogan High School
Hogan Preparatory Academy
Hogan Preparatory Academy is a charter high school at 1221 East Meyer Boulevard in Kansas City, Missouri....
in Kansas City, Missouri. Her older sister, Gloria J. Michaels had gone to New York City to dance on Broadway. Gloria joined the traveling cast of Brigadoon
Brigadoon
Brigadoon is a musical with a book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe. Songs from the musical, such as "Almost Like Being in Love" have become standards....
, and when the show came to do the performance in Kansas City they ask a 16-year old Dolores to join them.
She moved to Laguna Beach, California
Laguna Beach, California
Laguna Beach is a seaside resort city and artist community located in southern Orange County, California, United States, approximately southwest of the county seat of Santa Ana...
after marrying interior decorator Maurice Martiné in Laguna Beach on the rocks over looking the Pacific Ocean in 1953. Michaels moved out of their home and they separated in January 1958, moving into to a house with her older sister, Gloria, in Los Angeles. In January 1959, she filed for divorce, citing cruelty. At the divorce hearing she testified that Martiné had moved them into an expensive unfinished house, without heat or water, and that he expected her to bath in the ocean, something she didn't want to do because she was constantly catching a cold. The divorce was final on September 29, 1959. During her separation and after the divorce, she dated actor John Duke.
Michales was discovered when she was doing a scene in an acting class at 20th Century-Fox
20th Century Fox
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation — also known as 20th Century Fox, or simply 20th or Fox — is one of the six major American film studios...
's talent school. A group of producers and directors were in the audience, and after the scenes were finished, the audience voted on who gave the best performance. She won and got a contract with 20th Century-Fox.
Joanne Woodward
Joanne Woodward
Joanne Gignilliat Trimmier Woodward is an American actress, television and theatrical producer, and widow of Paul Newman...
was supposed to have the part of "Mildred Pritchard" in The Wayward Bus
The Wayward Bus (film)
The Wayward Bus is a 1957 drama film released by 20th Century Fox that starred Jayne Mansfield, Joan Collins, Dan Dailey and Rick Jason. The film was based on the novel of the same name by John Steinbeck.-Production background:...
(1957), but Woodward dropped out to star in The Three Faces of Eve
The Three Faces of Eve
The Three Faces of Eve is a 1957 American film adaptation of a case study by Corbett H. Thigpen and Hervey M. Cleckley. It was based on the true story of Chris Costner Sizemore, also known as Eve White, a woman who suffered from Dissociative Identity Disorder formerly known as multiple personality...
, and the part went to Michaels at the last minute, her first acting role. United Press International
United Press International
United Press International is a once-major international news agency, whose newswires, photo, news film and audio services provided news material to thousands of newspapers, magazines and radio and television stations for most of the twentieth century...
said in a review of the film that Michaels' "torrid" scene, a seduction scene in a hayloft where she makes a pass at the bus driver (Rick Jason
Rick Jason
Rick Jason , born Richard Jacobson, was an American actor, born in New York City, and most remembered for his role as 2nd Lt. Gil Hanley in the ABC television drama Combat! .-Biography:...
), "manages to steal the sexist scene in the picture," over better known sirens as Jayne Mansfield
Jayne Mansfield
Jayne Mansfield was an American actress working both in Hollywood and on the Broadway theatre...
and Joan Collins
Joan Collins
Joan Henrietta Collins, OBE , is an English actress, author, and columnist. Born in Paddington and raised in Maida Vale, Collins grew up during the Second World War. At the age of nine, she made her stage debut in A Doll's House and after attending school, she was classically trained as an actress...
. And also said that Hollywood had not had a scene like this since Jane Russell
Jane Russell
Jane Russell was an American film actress and was one of Hollywood's leading sex symbols in the 1940s and 1950s....
in The Outlaw
The Outlaw
The Outlaw is a 1943 American Western film, directed by Howard Hughes and starring Jane Russell. The supporting cast includes Jack Buetel, Thomas Mitchell, and Walter Huston. Hughes also produced the film, while Howard Hawks served as an uncredited co-director...
. Director Victor Vicas
Victor Vicas
Victor Vicas was a Russian-born French film director and screenwriter. His film The Wayward Bus was entered into the 7th Berlin International Film Festival.-Selected filmography:...
shot the scene twice, an "A" scene and a "B" scene because of the censors.
Her publicist released a biography that stated she had attended the University of Kansas
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
for one year and was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma
Kappa Kappa Gamma
Kappa Kappa Gamma is a collegiate women's fraternity, founded at Monmouth College, in Monmouth, Illinois, USA. Although the groundwork of the organization was developed as early as 1869, the 1876 Convention voted that October 13, 1870 should be recognized at the official Founders Day, because no...
sorority. But, people, trying to remember if they knew her, at both the university and the sorority could find no record of her at either entity. The fact was that she had enrolled at the university in the fall of 1951 and was "rushed" by the sorority, but she only stayed at the school a few weeks and then dropped out, and she did not join the sorority. He publicist had fabricated her biography to enhance it.
Early in her Hollywood career she struggled with her weight, as she was a compulsive eater. After trying all kinds of diets, she realized that the problem was "mental." While a ballet dancer in New York City, her weight reached 152 pounds, this on a five-foot-five-inch frame. By the time she signed her contract with 20th Century-Fox, though, she weighed 135 pounds. She developed work-related anxiety; she would lose weight when she was not working, but once she got a role, she would start eating again, at times eating a two-pound box of chocolates in a single sitting. Michaels would eat fruit and cottage cheese all day and then raid the refrigerator at midnight, sometimes not even remembering that she had until she opened the refrigerator the next morning. The turning point came after the death of her father (he died April 15, 1959-); he was the one who had pushed her in her career, and without him, she felt lost. She went into psychological analysis and learned that she needed to "respect" her job. Michaels went down to 115 pounds and her career took off. She told Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
Hollywood reporter Bob Thomas
Bob Thomas (reporter)
Bob Thomas is an American Hollywood film industry biographer and reporter who has worked for the Associated Press since 1944.-Personal life:...
: "I'm convinced that most weight problems stem from mental causes. But most people who lose weight on diets gain it back because they don't know the reasons why they crave food. Generally it is because of some frustration in their lives." Her psychologist told her to act and not dance ballet.
Michaels wanted to be taken seriously as an actor and not be treated as a sex symbol. When one reporter asked her for her measurements, she responded, "You can go to the wardrobe department and find out." She also said that she had never been asked to go to the studio photo gallery, stating, "That's part of the old Hollywood glamor nonsense. Also, it's in bad taste. I'm not a sexpot, I'm an actress". Later she told Hollywood columnist Erskine Johnson: "I favor the truly sensual photograph over the coyly teasing garter shots. I'd even rather be posed artistically nude than photographed giggling from behind a Venetian blind. I have never objected to posing. It's just that I wanted to build a career as an actress first".
After John Duke, she started dating Argentine actor Alejandro Rey
Alejandro Rey
Alejandro Rey was an Argentine actor. He immigrated to the United States in 1960, later became a U.S. citizen and gained his widest acclaim there.-Career:...
, whom she met on the set of Battle at Bloody Beach
Battle at Bloody Beach
Battle at Bloody Beach is a 1961 Drama directed by Herbert Coleman, starring Audie Murphy and Gary Crosby. Battle at Bloody Beach is only the second Audie Murphy movie set in WWII, after his autobiographical To Hell and Back.-Plot:...
. She then started dating Novelist-screenwriter Bernard Wolfe
Bernard Wolfe
Bernard Wolfe was an American writer. He was educated at Yale University, and worked in the United States Merchant Marine during the 1930s. Wolfe worked briefly as secretary and bodyguard to Leon Trotsky during the latter's exile in Mexico...
(1915-1985), who proposed to her in 1962, but she sent the engagement ring back to him with a note that read, "I don't wanna". Michaels and Wolfe married in Los Angeles on June 1, 1964. The marriage was her second and his first. He was 48 and she was 31. The couple divorced in October 1969.
She and Wolfe had twin daughters, Jordan M. and Miranda I., born in Los Angeles on July 23, 1970.
Dolores Michaels Wolfe died at the age of 68 in West Hollywood, California, of natural causes on September 25, 2001.
Filmography
- The French LineThe French LineThe French Line is a 1954 musical film starring Jane Russell made by RKO Pictures, directed by Lloyd Bacon and produced by Edmund Grainger, with Howard Hughes as executive producer. The screenplay was by Mary Loos and Richard Sale, based on a story by Matty Kemp and Isabel Dawn...
(1953) (uncredited) as Model - Son of SinbadSon of SinbadSon of Sinbad is a 1955 American film directed by Ted Tetzlaff. The movie takes place in the Middle East and consists of a wide variety of characters including over 127 women.Initially, the film was shot in 1953 and planned to be released in 3D...
(1955) (uncredited) as Harem Girl - Science Fiction TheatreScience Fiction TheatreScience Fiction Theatre is an American science fiction anthology series that aired in syndication from April 1955 to April 1957. It was produced by Ivan Tors and Maurice Ziv.-Overview:...
as Desk Clerk (1 episode, 1956) - The Wayward BusThe Wayward Bus (film)The Wayward Bus is a 1957 drama film released by 20th Century Fox that starred Jayne Mansfield, Joan Collins, Dan Dailey and Rick Jason. The film was based on the novel of the same name by John Steinbeck.-Production background:...
(1957) as Mildred Pritchard - Time LimitTime limitA time limit or deadline is a narrow field of time, or particular point in time, by which an objective or task must be accomplished.In project management, deadlines are most often associated with milestone goals....
(1957) as Cpl. Jean Evans - April LoveApril Love (film)April Love is an American Musical directed by Henry Levin and produced by David Weisbart, based on the novel Phantom Filly by George Agnew Chamberlain . Photographed in CinemaScope and DeLuxe Color by Wilfred M...
(1957) as Fran Templeton - Fräulein (1958) as Lori the piano player
- The Fiend Who Walked the WestThe Fiend Who Walked the WestThe Fiend Who Walked the West is a Western based on the 1947 film noir Kiss of Death. The film stars Robert Evans, Hugh O'Brian, Linda Cristal, and Stephen McNally.-External links:*...
(1958) as May Matthewson - WarlockWarlock (1959 film)Warlock is a 1959 film, released by Twentieth Century Fox and shot in DeLuxe Color and CinemaScope. It is a Western adapted from the novel by Oakley Hall...
(1959) as Jessie Marlow - Five Gates to Hell (1959) as Athena
- One Foot in Hell (1960) as Julie Reynolds
- Battle at Bloody BeachBattle at Bloody BeachBattle at Bloody Beach is a 1961 Drama directed by Herbert Coleman, starring Audie Murphy and Gary Crosby. Battle at Bloody Beach is only the second Audie Murphy movie set in WWII, after his autobiographical To Hell and Back.-Plot:...
(1961) as Ruth Benson - Bus StopBus Stop (TV series)Bus Stop is a 26-episode drama which aired on ABC from October 1, 1961, until March 25, 1962, starring Marilyn Maxwell as Grace Sherwood, the owner of a bus station and diner in the fictitious town of Sunrise in the Colorado Rockies...
as Louise Willis (1 episode, 1961) - LaramieLaramie (TV series)Laramie is an American Western television series that aired on NBC from 1959 to 1963. Laramie was a Revue Studios production which originally starred John Smith as Slim Sherman, Robert Fuller as Jess Harper, Hoagy Carmichael as Jonesy and Robert Crawford, Jr...
as Nona (1 episode, 1962) - Perry MasonPerry Mason (TV series)Perry Mason is an American legal drama produced by Paisano Productions that ran from September 1957 to May 1966 on CBS. The title character, portrayed by Raymond Burr, is a fictional Los Angeles defense attorney who originally appeared in detective fiction by Erle Stanley Gardner...
as Jo Sands (1 episode, 1962) - Route 66Route 66 (TV series)Route 66 is an American TV series in which two young men traveled across America. The show ran weekly on CBS from 1960 to 1964. It starred Martin Milner as Tod Stiles and, for two and a half seasons, George Maharis as Buz Murdock. Maharis was ill for much of the third season, during which time Tod...
as Medith (1 episode, 1962) - The Lloyd Bridges ShowThe Lloyd Bridges ShowThe Lloyd Bridges Show is an American anthology drama series produced by Aaron Spelling, which aired on CBS from September 11, 1962 to May 28, 1963, starring and hosted by Lloyd Bridges.-Synopsis:...
as Carol Wade (1 episode, 1963)