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One of America’s television darlings, Angie Dickinson was born Angeline Brown in September of 1931 in North Dakota to Frederica and Leo Brown. Her family left North Dakota in 1942 and moved to Burbank, California. She attended the Bellemarine Jefferson High School where she won the 1946 Sixth Annual Bill of Rights essay contest. After high school she got her degree in business from the Immaculate Heart College. In the years 1950 to 52, while studying, she was also a secretary at in a parts factory and at the then Burbanks Airport.

Then in 1953, she entered a beauty contest where she got the second place. She then became one of the most famous character actors in the 50s and 60s. She appeared in many films and guest starred in many television series and shows such as in the variety show The Colgate Comedy Hour. She further rose to stardom and soon became a member of the Rat Pack. She met and became lifelong friend of Frank Sinatra. Later she would appear with him in Ocean’s Eleven.

She made her first acting debut in Death Valley Days in 1954 which lead to other roles including Buffallo Bill Jr., General Electric Theater, Gunsmoke, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, Cheyenne, Broken Arrow, The Restless Gun, Meet McGraw, Mike Hammer, Men Into Space, Perry Mason and Wagon Train. Her first starring role was in the 1956’s Gun the Man Down opposite James Arnes. Then in 1957 she appeared in the acclaimed Sam Fuller’s cult classic China Gate. She also became one of the sex symbols of Hollywood during the era. She appeared in many B-movies and westerns such as the 1957 Shoot-Out at Medicine Bend opposite James Garner.

The 1959 Rio Bravo finally earned her the respect of Hollywood and what followed were numerous movies where she became the leading lady of the decade. She played opposite Richard Burton in The Bramble Bush and opposite Frank Sinatra in Ocean’s Eleven.

In 1964, she appeared in the hit series The Fugitive which starred David Jansenn. She then reprised her role the following year on Dr. Kildare. In 1966 she appeared in The Chase with Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall, Jane Fonda and Robert Redford. This was followed by more films up to the early 70s.

She returned to television in 1974 in Police Story. Her guest appearance was so loved by the television viewers that NBC decided to do a weekly series Police Woman. Police Woman became an instant hit and run for several seasons. After Police Woman she continued to act in television and in movies but none was as loved as the series.