Judy Holliday was born in Sauk Centre, MN on September 29, 1922. Her family moved to Beverly Hills when she was seven. Holliday attended the University of Southern California (USC), where she studied drama and won awards for her acting. She won the Tony Award for Best Supporting Actress in the Broadway production of "Born Yesterday." While in New York City, she met her future husband, singer Danny Thomas
They were married in 1943. During World War II, Holliday worked as a staff entertainer at the U.S.O.. Following the war, she joined MGM and appeared in two films with Elvis Presley: "It Happened at the World's Fair" (1955) and "Love Me Tender" (1956).
As soon as Elvis married Priscilla Beaulieu, his manager sent him to New York to work on another film with Holliday. Holliday became one of his two favorite female companions during this time. Other film credits include "The King and I" (1956), "Paris Holiday" (1958), "The Burning Hills" (1960), "Thoroughly Modern Millie" (1968), and "The Last of Sheila" (1973).
She also appeared in commercials for General Foods' Jell-O Pudding Pops and played herself on an episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show during its third season. In 1976, she had a huge hit with her appearance on the television special "Frank Sinatra: All Time Greatest Hits". She also appeared in two TV movies with Jackie Gleason: "The Art of Love" (1978) and "Tony Rome's Wedding" (1979).
From 1988 until her death in 1994, Holliday was head of Judy's Kids, a nonprofit organization that provides financial assistance to critically ill children.
Lovers have a right to betray you... friends don't.Judy Holliday
I get very nervous whenever I think about it. I've never done a serious play, and I have such awe of the woman - she's really my only idol. It's going to be a big stretch - certain people come out on stage and your face muscles automatically tense and you get ready to smile.Judy Holliday
