Helene Stanley (born Dolores Diane Freymouth; July 17, 1929 – December 27, 1990) was an American actress. She is best known for being the live model for Cinderella, Aurora, and Anita Radcliffe.
Helene Stanley | |
|---|---|
 Stanley in The Snows of Kilimanjaro (1952) | |
| Born | Dolores Diane Freymouth July 17, 1929 |
| Died | December 27, 1990 (aged 61) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Other names | Dolores Diane |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1942–1961 |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 1 |
Early life
Stanley was born in Gary, Indiana. Her parents were Michael Freymouth, who was an acrobat who worked in Europe, and Gerty Freymouth (née Seigert).[citation needed]
Career
Stanley used the stage name "Dolores Diane." In 1946, she received a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and began to use the stage name "Helene Stanley,"[1] with one of her most notable appearances being a brief, but memorable role in John Huston's The Asphalt Jungle (1950).
Her collaboration with Disney started around 1948. She became the live-action model for the main character in Cinderella,[2] Aurora in Sleeping Beauty,[3][4] and Anita Radcliffe in One Hundred and One Dalmatians.[5][6] In the season three episode of Walt Disney's Disneyland (1957), Tricks of Our Trade, Stanley appears as herself performing a ballet routine for several studio animation directors.
Personal life
Helene Stanley was married to Johnny Stompanato[7][8][9] on January 17, 1953, with their divorce dated February 10, 1955.[10]
After Stompanato, Stanley married a physician from Beverly Hills, David Niemetz. They had a son, David Niemetz Jr., in 1961.[11] After they were married, Stanley formally retired from show business in 1962, 1 year after the birth of her son.[12]
Death
Stanley died on December 27, 1990, in Los Angeles. The cause of her death was not reported.[citation needed]
Filmography
- 1942: Girls' Town - Sally
- 1943: Hi, Buddy - Specialty
- 1943: Moonlight in Vermont - A Jivin' Jill
- 1945: Patrick the Great - Member, Jivin' Jills (uncredited)
- 1945: Thrill of a Romance - Susan
- 1946: Holiday in Mexico - Yvette Baranga
- 1947: Brick Bradford - Carol Preston
- 1948: My Dear Secretary - Miss 'Clay' Pidgeon (uncredited)
- 1949: Mr. Soft Touch - Donna (uncredited)
- 1949: Bandit King of Texas - Cynthia Turner
- 1949: All the King's Men - Helene Hale (uncredited)
- 1950: Cinderella (As live-action model for Disney animators to use as a guide) (Cinderella)
- 1950: A Woman of Distinction - Minor Role (uncredited)
- 1950: The Asphalt Jungle - Jeannie - Girl in Diner (uncredited)
- 1952: Diplomatic Courier - Airline Stewardess
- 1952: Wait till the Sun Shines, Nellie - Eadie Jordan
- 1952: We're Not Married! - Mary (uncredited)
- 1952: Dreamboat - Mimi
- 1952: The Snows of Kilimanjaro - Connie
- 1953: Roar of the Crowd - Marcy Parker
- 1953: Once I Will Return - Gloria
- 1954: Carnival Story - Peggy
- 1954: Circus of Love - Lore
- 1955: Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier - Polly Crockett (archive footage)
- 1955: Dial Red O - Connie Wyatt
- 1957: Walt Disney's Disneyland Tricks of Our Trade - Herself
- 1959: Sleeping Beauty (As live-action model for Disney animators to use as a guide) - Aurora
- 1959: "Perry Mason The Case of the Foot-Loose Doll" - Fran Driscoll
- 1961: One Hundred and One Dalmatians (As live-action model for Disney animators to use as a guide) - Anita
References
- ^ Sandra Brennan, Rovi (2014). "Helene Stanley". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 9, 2014. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
- ^ "Cinderella Character History". Disney Archives. Archived from the original on August 3, 2003.
- ^ "Audio-commentary for Sleeping Beauty". Sleeping Beauty Platinum Edition (Disc 1) (DVD). Walt Disney Home Entertainment. 2008.
- ^ "Once Upon a Dream: Making of Sleeping Beauty". Sleeping Beauty Special Edition (Disc 2) (DVD). Walt Disney Home Entertainment. 2003.
- ^ John Grant (1987). The Encyclopedia of Walt Disney's Animated Characters. p. 228. ISBN 0060157771.
- ^ Conradt, Stacy. "Helene Stanley". Mental Floss. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
- ^ "4th Stompanato Marriage Hinted". Albany Democrat-Herald. Oregon, Albany. Albany Democrat-Herald. April 15, 1958. p. 2. Retrieved February 13, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Star's Child Tells of Killing". Independent. California, Long Beach. Independent Press-Telegram. April 6, 1958. p. 3. Retrieved February 13, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Another Woman Linked With Johnny as Police Continue To Search Into Past of Slain 'Gigolo'". The San Bernardino County Sun. California, San Bernardino. The San Bernardino County Sun. April 16, 1958. p. 4. Retrieved February 13, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Police Hang Gigolo Tag On Johnny Stompanato". Tucson Daily Citizen. Arizona, Tucson. Tucson Daily Citizen. April 5, 1958. p. 8. Retrieved February 13, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Helene Stanley - the Private Life and Times of Helene Stanley. Helene Stanley Pictures".
- ^ Potempa, Philip (June 22, 2022). "Potempa: Helene Stanley, actress from Gary, found Walt Disney film fame". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 9, 2023.