Jean Byron

[COP11]

Jean Byron (December 10, 1925 – February 3, 2006) was an American film, television, and stage actress. She is best known for the role of Natalie Lane, Patty Lane's mother in The Patty Duke Show.

Early life and career

Born Imogene Burkhart in Kentucky, she moved to California during World War II and was signed to Columbia Pictures where she chose the name of Jean Byron as a stage moniker. In the 1950s, Byron appeared in several b-movies including The Magnetic Monster and Serpent of the Nile, in addition to guest roles on The Millionaire, The Pepsi-Cola Playhouse, and Science Fiction Theatre. Byron also served as spokeswoman for Revlon and Lux products on The Rosemary Clooney Show.

In 1959, Byron landed a semi-regular spot on CBS's The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis playing Dr. Imogene Burkhart, her real name. The following year, she starred in the short lived soap opera, Full Circle which also co-starred Dyan Cannon. In 1963, she won the role of Natalie Lane on The Patty Duke Show. After the series ended in 1966, she continued appearing in guest roles on Batman, Marcus Welby, M.D., Maude, and Hotel. Byron's last onscreen role was in the 1999 television movie The Patty Duke Show: Still Rockin' in Brooklyn Heights.

In additional to film and television roles, Byron also worked in regional theater. She portrayed Mama Rose in Gypsy and appeared in a production of Guys and Dolls.

Personal life and death

Byron was married to actor Michael Ansara from 1949 to 1956. The couple had no children and Byron never remarried.

On February 3, 2006, Byron died in Mobile, Alabama, of complications following hip replacement surgery.