Elena Verdugo

Since she was fourteen, Elena Verdugo—one of the prettiest secretaries to ever sit on the boss's son's lap—has never played a straight role. The five-feet-two-inch blonde turns thumbs down on any part that doesn't induce laughter. On the radio show Meet Millie, the laughs were plentiful, so Elena was happy. ... A member of one of the oldest families in California, Elena went to school in Los Angeles—finishing high school on the studio lot. Her classmates there were Roddy McDowall and Stanley Clements. Her first public appearance was as a dancer in "Down Argentine Way." But an executive noted that she could act as well, and she's been acting ever since. Xavier Cugat fans will remember Elena's recording of "Tico Tico" when she vocalized for the rhumba king's orchestra. . . . Off-mike, Elena was Mrs. Charles R. Marion and the mother of Richard. Mr. Marion was a screen writer. Elena Verdugo starred in her own TV series, "Meet Millie," and has guest-starred in many series, including "Rawhide," "Colgate Comedy Hour," "Route 66," "The Red Skelton Show" and "The Bob Cummings Show."
She has more than 20 motion picture credits, including "Cyrano de Bergerac," "The Moon and Sixpence," and "Down Argentine Way." Miss Verdugo starred on the stage in productions of "Roman Candle," "Oklahoma!" and "South Pacific."