Mary LaRoche was an American actress and singer who appeared in several Broadway musicals, feature films, and television shows from the late 1930s to the mid-1970s. She is best known for her roles in the movies Gidget (1959) and Bye Bye Birdie (1963), and for her guest appearances on popular series such as The Twilight Zone, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Perry Mason, and Gunsmoke. She died on February 9, 1999, at the age of 78, from undisclosed causes. In this article, we will explore her life, career, and cause of death in more detail.
Contents
Early Years and Education
Mary LaRoche was born on July 20, 1920, in Rochester, New York, as Mary Catherine La Roche. She was the youngest of three daughters of Catherine R. (née Carney) and William P. La Roche. Her mother was of Irish descent, while her father was a native of Canada who worked as a hotel manager and a restaurant owner
Mary showed an early interest in music and acting. She received training in piano and voice at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, and by age 10, she was already performing on radio programs. She also gained experience with local theater groups such as the Community Players and the Paddy Hill Players
In 1939, she won a sectional contest in the radio talent show Gateway to Hollywood, which gave her the opportunity to pursue a career in show business
Broadway and Film Career
LaRoche moved to New York City in 1938 and began appearing in Broadway musical comedies. Some of her notable shows include The Merry Widow (1942), by Franz Lehár; Are You With It? (1945), by Sammy Fain and E.Y. Harburg; The Day Before Spring (1945), by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe; and Top Banana (1951), by Johnny Mercer and Hy Kraft
She also made her film debut in 1950, playing a singer in Catskills Honeymoon. She went on to star in several movies during the 1950s and 1960s, often portraying supportive wives or mothers. Some of her memorable films include Operation Mad Ball (1957), a comedy with Jack Lemmon; Run Silent Run Deep (1958), a war drama with Clark Gable; The Lineup (1958), a crime thriller with Eli Wallach; Gidget (1959), a teen romance with Sandra Dee; The Ladies Man (1961), a comedy with Jerry Lewis; Bye Bye Birdie (1963), a musical with Ann-Margret; and The Swinger (1966), a sex comedy with Tony Franciosa
Television Career
LaRoche was also very active on television, appearing in at least 37 different series between 1951 and 1977. She usually played guest roles or supporting characters, often displaying her versatility and range as an actress. She could handle comedy, drama, mystery, horror, western, sci-fi, and fantasy genres with ease.
Some of her most notable TV appearances include five episodes of Perry Mason, where she played different characters involved in murder cases; two episodes of The Twilight Zone, where she played a woman trapped in a nightmare world and a woman who falls in love with an android; an episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents, where she played a wife who plots to kill her husband; an episode of Gunsmoke, where she played a widow who falls for Quint; and an episode of The Streets of San Francisco, where she played a mother who tries to protect her son from a gangster
Personal Life and Death
LaRoche was married three times in her life. Her first husband was actor John Hudson, whom she married in 1941 and divorced in 1947. They had two children together: John Hudson Jr., who became an actor as well; and Catherine Hudson La Roche Price Sherman Price Jr., who became an artist. Her second husband was Douglas Rodgers, whom she married in 1953 and divorced in 1966. They had one child together: Douglas Rodgers Jr., who became a musician. Her third husband was Sherwood Price, whom she married in 1967 until his death in 1988
LaRoche retired from acting in 1977 and moved back to her hometown of Rochester, New York. She devoted herself to religious and charitable causes until her death on February 9, 1999. She died from undisclosed causes at the age of 78. She was buried at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Rochester
Conclusion
Mary LaRoche was a talented and versatile actress who had a long and successful career in Broadway, film, and television. She is remembered for her roles in Gidget, Bye Bye Birdie, and many other popular shows. She died in 1999 from unknown causes, leaving behind a legacy of entertainment and inspiration.
