Beverley Jane Stone (née Ogg; May 13, 1937 – February 21, 2019), known professionally as Beverley Owen, was an American television actress, best known for having originated the role of Marilyn Munster on the sitcom The Munsters before the role was taken over by Pat Priest.

Early life

Beverley Jane Ogg was born on May 13, 1937, in Ottumwa, Iowa. She was the first born child of Wallace E. Ogg and Charlotte M. Vander Ploeg. She grew up in Ames, Iowa, where her father was a professor of agricultural economics <!--other sources identify him as an extension economist.--> at Iowa State University. Her mother died in 1953.

Career

<!--COMMENT OUT UNTIL SOURCES ARE ADDED -- She received an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan, and she was a student of famed acting teacher Sanford Meisner. After college, she moved to New York to pursue a career in television production, taking the stage name Beverley Owen. She worked as a typist and secretary for CBS until she auditioned and appeared on Camera Three. Her performance on the show was spotted by talent agent Eleanor Kilgallen, who signed her to a seven-year contract with Universal Studios.-->In 1956, Owen appeared in her first TV role in As the World Turns. Owen appeared on the shows The Doctors, Kraft Mystery Theatre, The Virginian, Wagon Train, and Another World and in the 1964 feature film Bullet for a Badman, starring Audie Murphy, after which she got the role of Marilyn Munster on The Munsters. In 1972, she played Dr. Paula McCrea for nine months on the soap opera Another World. They were married for 10 years until 1974. She had two daughters, Polly and Kate.

Death

thumb|right|270px|The cast of [[The Munsters.

Standing, L–R: Yvonne De Carlo, Al Lewis.

Sitting: Butch Patrick, Fred Gwynne, Beverley Owen.]]

Owen's daughter Polly said that the actress died of ovarian cancer on February 21, 2019, at the age of 81. Butch Patrick, her co-star on The Munsters, released a Facebook statement on February 24, 2019, stating, "Beautiful Beverley Owen has left us. What a sweet soul. I had the biggest crush on her. RIP Bev and thanks for your 13 memorable Marilyn Munster episodes."

Selected filmography

  • As the World Turns
  • Wagon Train

References