Chanin Hale was an American actress who appeared on stage, film, and television, most notably on The Red Skelton Hour. She died on January 30, 2020, at the age of 91, at her home in Los Angeles, California. The cause of death was not publicly disclosed, but according to her obituary, she had been suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for several years
Early Life and Career of Chanin Hale
Chanin Hale was born Marilyn Victoria Chanine Hale Harvey on October 3, 1928, in Dayton, Ohio. She was a creative and athletic girl who excelled in art and sports. She developed a passion for acting and performed in student and community theater, taking lessons in dancing and singing. She dyed her red hair platinum blonde and adopted her mother’s family name as her stage name
She moved to New York in 1955 and became a stage actress. She toured with the revue High Time and performed in plays such as Bus Stop, The Gazebo, Little Mary Sunshine, and Come Blow Your Horn. She also appeared in a small role in the film Blue Hawaii (1961) starring Elvis Presley
In 1963, she met Jack Albertson who introduced her to Red Skelton. He appreciated her excellent pantomime skills and she became a regular on his show for the next seven years. She also appeared on other television shows such as The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Beverly Hillbillies, Dragnet, and Gunsmoke. She also starred in films such as Synanon (1965), A Guide for the Married Man (1967), The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz (1968), and The Night They Raided Minsky’s (1968)
USO Tours and Pinup Model
Chanin Hale was also a supporter of the USO and toured with them to Vietnam and other overseas locations in the late 1960s. She became a favorite of the soldiers when a photo of her posing as Eve in a homemade costume appeared in the New York Daily News. She was one of the last successful pinup models of that era
Personal Life and Death of Chanin Hale
Chanin Hale married Richard Bradshaw in 1986, who shared her love of exotic travel and had a sense of humor to match hers. They spent more than 35 wonderful years together, traveling extensively to various destinations, entertaining friends, and enjoying each other’s company. They started a great conversation that didn’t end until she passed away. Her beloved Richard followed her two weeks later on what would have been their 34th wedding anniversary. She is survived by her stepdaughters, Linda, Barbara, and Victoria Bradshaw
Chanin Hale was a talented and versatile actress who entertained millions of people with her charm and wit. She was also a generous and adventurous person who lived a full and rich life. She will be remembered and missed by her fans, friends, and family
