Arlene Dahl, the 1950s beautiful actress, a beauty writer, and cosmetics executive took her last breathe on Monday in New York. She was 96. The actress’ son Lorenzo Lamas posted on Facebook that she had a positive influence on his life.
I will remember her delight, her serenity, and her sense of worth as she conquered the difficulties that befell her. She was not a person who said ill things about anybody. Her ability to forgive left me dumbfounded at times.
She was a lively personality. As I grew older, I relied on her for counseling on major subjects and the person I knew who lived to the hilt. Dahl began his career as a model in Minneapolis before moving to Los Angeles in 1946. She was under contract at Warner Bros. for a brief time, before moving to MGM.
The Bride Goes Wild,” the first film she worked on at MGM, starred Van Johnson and June Allyson.
Later on, she also appeared in “Reign of Terror,” “Three Little Words,” “Woman’s World,” “Slightly Scarlet,” and “Journey to the Center of the Earth.”
She also performed in “With a High-Heel,” “A Southern Yankee,” “Scene of the Crime,” “Desert Legion” and “Jamaica Run.” Fernando Lamas, who she would marry, starred in all of these films.
She was also a beauty writer for more than 30 years after she retired from acting. She began Arlene Dahl Enterprises in the mid-1950s and sold lingerie, cosmetics, and personal services.
After retiring from acting, she worked in advertising and for Sears, Roebuck & Company, then established her own perfume company.
She also made guest appearances on soap operas such as “Love, American Style,” “Fantasy Island” and “The Love Boat.”
She was married six times, with actors Lex Barker and Fernando Lamas, as well as wine entrepreneur Alexis Lichine among her former spouses.
Arlene Dahl is survived by her husband, Marc Rosen; son Lorenzo Lamas; three other children; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
