Joi Lansing wasn't the most famous glamour era model, nor was she
the most talented actress, but through her good looks and a determination
to work, she had a long career in movies and television. Born Joyce Wasmansdorff
to a devout Mormon family in Salt Lake City, Lansing was
the good girl-next-door in every sense of the phrase. She started her acting
career in high school and was soon noticed by Hollywood. Even though she
only had bit parts (like a momentary scene in Singing in the Rain),
she kept working. Her big break came in the 1950 when she crossed over
to the small screen. She had guest shots on The Jack Benny Program
and was a semi-regular on The Bob Cummings Show/Love That Bob.
She also appeared on Make Room For Daddy,
Ozzie and
Harriet, I Love Lucy, The Adventures of Superman
and in the 1960's The Beverly Hillbillies. Not a bad resume
for a woman who once made the cover of Life magaize as "Hollywood's
Newest Dumb Blonde." Also of note was the 1956
Son of Sinbad in
which Lansing appeared along fellow Femme Fatale Lili
St. Cyr. Like many of her contemporaries, her career
moved downhill in the late 60's and early 70's to a point where the only
work she could get was in grade movies. Regardless of that, we remember
Lansing
for the wonderfully playful pin-ups, TV and movie appearances she left
us.
In 2005, there was a great book written about
her life and one author's quest to rediscover here. It's titles Comfort
and Joi and you can read a review of it here.
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