Doris Dowling

Doris Dowling (May 15, 1923 – June 18, 2004) was an American actress of film, stage and television. Best known for the films The Crimson Key (1946) and Bitter Rice (1949). Also known for playing Irene Adams on My Living Doll (1964-1965) and other TV show appearances such as The Andy Griffith Show, Perry Mason, and The Incredible Hulk. Early years Dowling was born in Detroit, Michigan, but grew up in New York City with siblings Robert, Richard, and Constance (who also became an actress). After graduating from Hunter College High School, she spent a short time with a Folies Bergère group in San Francisco before her mother brought her back to New York to attend Hunter College. Film After her time as a chorus girl on Broadway, Dowling followed her elder sister Constance to Hollywood. Her first credited film role was that of Gloria, an apparent escort who takes a shine to Ray Milland in the 1945 film The Lost Weekend. She next appeared in The Blue Dahlia, which starred Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake. Dowling portrayed Ladd's wife but was six inches taller so Ladd stood on ramps or boxes or, in many of their scenes together she was either sitting or lying down.