Shelby Grant (born Brenda Thompson; October 19, 1936 – June 25, 2011) was an American actress whose credits included Our Man Flint, Fantastic Voyage, and Medical Center.[1][2][3]
Shelby Grant | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Brenda Thompson October 19, 1936 Orlando, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Died | June 25, 2011 (aged 74) |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Northeastern State College |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1963–74 |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
Early life
Grant was born on October 19, 1936[2] in Orlando, Oklahoma to parents Lawrence and Mae Thompson.[1][2][3] She was raised in Wagoner, Oklahoma, and completed high school at Wagoner High School.[1]
Grant enrolled at Northeastern State College (now known as Northeastern State University) in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, where she studied drama and speech.[1] She became Northeastern State's football queen in 1959.[1] That year, she won the title of Northeastern Oklahoma Dairy Princess as well.[1]
Career
Grant appeared in local television commercials for Tulsa-based KTUL-TV after college.[1] In 1962 she moved from Oklahoma to southern California to pursue an acting career.[1] She initially worked as a teacher of special education and deaf students at Hollywood High School while trying to enter the entertainment industry.[1]
Thompson was discovered by a 20th Century Fox talent scout[3], whereupon she changed her professional name to Shelby Grant.[3] She "drew Shelby Grant out of a hat," according to an interview she gave to columnist Hedda Hopper.[3]
She debuted on television in a 1963 episode of Bonanza.[1] She soon became a contracted actor with 20th Century Fox.[1] Her film roles under contract with Fox included The Pleasure Seekers in 1964, the 1966 science fiction film Fantastic Voyage, Our Man Flint in 1966, and The Witchmaker in 1969.[1] Her television credits grew to include Batman (episodes 7 and 8), and Marcus Welby, M.D..[1]
Grant married her husband, actor Chad Everett, in a ceremony held on May 22, 1966, in Tucson, Arizona.[1][2] Chad Everett had been on location in Tucson filming the 1967 movie Return of the Gunfighter at the time of their wedding.[2] They had two daughters, Kate and Shannon.[1] Grant appeared in her husband's television series Medical Center, in which he portrayed Dr. Joe Gannon from 1969 to 1976.[1]
Personal life
She and her husband, actor Chad Everett, had two daughters, Katherine Thorp and Shannon Everett.[1][2]
Grant largely left acting to focus on philanthropy during her later life. She and her husband sponsored more than twenty heart surgeries for children.[1]
Grant died of a brain aneurysm in Westlake Village, California on June 25, 2011 at the age of 74.[1] Everett died from lung cancer on July 24, 2012 at the age of 75, a little over a year after Grant's death.
Partial filmography
- Come Blow Your Horn (1963) - Party Guest (uncredited)
- The Pleasure Seekers (1964) - Marian, American Girl
- John Goldfarb, Please Come Home! (1965) - Harem Girl (uncredited)
- Our Man Flint (1966) - Leslie
- Fantastic Voyage (1966) - Nurse
- The Witchmaker (1969) - Maggie
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Stanley, Tim (2011-07-02). "Actress from Wagoner led life of fame, philanthropy". Tulsa World. Retrieved 2011-07-07.
- ^ a b c d e f "Shelby Grant Everett (1936–2011) obituary". Ventura County Star. 2011-06-28. Retrieved 2011-07-07.
- ^ a b c d e Lisanti, Tom (2002). "Film fatales: women in espionage films and television, 1962-1973 Shelby Grant (pgs. 135-7)". Film fatales: women in espionage films and television, 1962-1973. Google Books. Retrieved 2011-07-07.