Greta Thyssen
Greta Thyssen | |
---|---|
Born |
Greta Thygesen March 30, 1933 Copenhagen, Denmark |
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 1956–67 |
Greta Thyssen (born Greta Thygesen on March 30, 1933) is a Danish-born American film actress and former model. Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, she appeared in films and television shows between 1956 and 1967.
Career
Thyssen arrived in the United States after winning the Miss Denmark crown in 1952. She attempted to follow in the footsteps of the reigning blonde sex symbols Marilyn Monroe and Jayne Mansfield by forging a movie career. She was Monroe's double in Bus Stop,[1] and appeared in Accused of Murder, Terror Is a Man, Journey to the Seventh Planet, and Three Blondes in His Life.
In addition to her appearances in the television shows Dragnet and Bachelor Father, she appeared as Roxy Howard, the title character in the third Perry Mason episode, "The Case of the Nervous Accomplice." Thyssen also appeared on Broadway in Pajama Tops as a replacement for June Wilkinson.[2]
Thyssen is probably best remembered for her appearances in the Three Stooges films Quiz Whizz, Sappy Bull Fighters and Pies and Guys. In her brief stint with the Stooges, she endured a cream pie to the face in the latter film. After appearing in Cottonpickin' Chickenpickers in 1967, Thyssen retired from acting.
From 1956-58 Thyssen was the original Pirate Girl on the primetime TV game show Treasure Hunt assisting host Jan Murray with presenting prizes hidden in miniature treasure chests.[3]
Personal
Thyssen was married three times. Her third marriage was to Theodore Guenther and produced a daughter, born on Valentine's Day, 1969.
As of June 2010, Thyssen resided in New York City.[4]
Filmography
Feature Films
- Bus Stop (1956)
- Accused of Murder (1956)
- The Beast of Budapest (1958)
- Catch Me If You Can (1959)
- Shawdows (1959)
- Terror Is a Man (1959)
- Three Blondes in His Life (1961)
- Journey to the Seventh Planet (1962)
- The Double-Barrelled Detective Story (1965)
- Cottonpickin' Chickenpickers (1967)
Short Films
- Quiz Whizz (1958)
- Pies and Guys (1958)
- Sappy Bull Fighters (1959)
References
- ↑ "Greta Thyssen (Biography)". All Movie Guide. NY Times. Retrieved May 12, 2011.
- ↑ Paul Parla & Charles P. Mitchell (2000). Screen Sirens Scream!: Interview with 20 Actresses from Science Fiction. McFarland & Company. p. 234. Retrieved May 12, 2011.
- ↑ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0862353/
- ↑ Mark Voger (June 18, 2010). "Three Stooges' final leading lady, Greta Thyssen". The Star-Ledger. NJ.Com. Retrieved May 12, 2011.