Carla Balenda | Born 1925

Balenda started her acting career in the 1940s and had contracts with RKO Pictures and Columbia Pictures. Born Sally Bliss, she later changed her name to Carla Balenda because she thought her birth name was “too cute” for her. The now-96-year-old explained she didn’t see herself cute at all, so her original name would only fit her if she stuck to playing innocent or unsophisticated young woman roles. “I’m not the type,” she stated.

The actress played the role of Pat in The Mickey Rooney Show for a year, from 1954 to 1955. Many in the media believe that this role helped bring her to a higher level of fame. Later, she also received credit as Betty Leonard on The Adventures of Dr. Fu Manchu. In 1966, Balenda retired from acting on TV and in movies.