Doris Dowling

Known for ActingBorn 1923-05-15 — died 2004-06-18Detroit, Michigan, USA

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Doris Dowling (May 15, 1923 – June 18, 2004) was an American actress of film, stage and television. After her time as a chorus-girl on Broadway, Detroit-born Doris Dowling followed her elder sister Constance to Hollywood. Her first credited film role was that of Gloria, barfly and drinking companion to fellow alcoholic Ray Milland in the 1945 film The Lost Weekend. She next appeared in The Blue Dahlia, which starred Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake. As post-war work became more scarce, she emigrated to Italy to revive her career, as her sister had done.

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In Italy, Dowling starred in several acclaimed films including Bitter Rice. She appeared in Orson Welles's European production of Othello in 1952, playing Bianca. Upon returning to the US, much of her work was in theatre and on television. She appeared in such television shows as Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Bonanza, Perry Mason, The Andy Griffith Show, and, late in her career, The Incredible Hulk, Kojak and finally, The Dukes of Hazzard in 1984. She also co-starred with Bob Cummings and Julie Newmar in the sitcom My Living Doll.

In 1973, Dowling shared an Outer Critics Circle award for her performance in a revival of The Women on Broadway.

Personal life

Dowling dated Billy Wilder and married three times. She was band leader Artie Shaw's 7th wife, by whom she had a son, Jonathan. Her other husbands were Robert F. Blumofe (1956–1959) and Leonard B. Kaufman (1960 until her death in 2004).