Pamela Britton

Pamela Britton (born Armilda Jane Owens, March 19, 1923 – June 17, 1974) was an American actress, best known for appearing as Lorelei Brown in the television series My Favorite Martian (1963–1966) and for her female lead in the film noir classic D.O.A. (1950). Throughout her acting career, Britton appeared often on Broadway and in several Hollywood and television films. Early career Armilda Jane Owens was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Ethel (Waite) and Dr. Raymond Gilbert Owens, a physician. Her mother was a prominent stage, radio, and early television actress. She had two sisters: Virginia, who was an actress for RKO Radio Pictures; and Mary, a social worker. Armilda attended Holy Angels Academy and the State Teacher's Normal School in her home town of Milwaukee. By the age of nine she was doing summer stock, and Hollywood came calling at age ten. Her mother rejected the advances, saying she wanted her to be an actress, not a child star. Owens started auditioning for roles at the age of 15, using the name "Gloria Jane Owen". She found that as soon as people knew who her mother was, they expected her to be as accomplished an actress. She used a pseudonym to audition, choosing Pamela (from a British book) and Britton (to emphasize the source). In 1943 she found voice work as Jackie Gleason's mother-in-law on "The Honeymooners" radio show. Theatre work After a stint touring with bandleader Don McGuire, Britton's big break came when she was cast as both Celeste Holm's understudy and as Gertie in the Broadway production of Oklahoma! She played Meg Brockie in the Broadway production of Brigadoon (1947). When Oklahoma! went on tour, she took over Holm's role as Ado Annie. Britton's New York agent eventually sent her credentials to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer executive Marvin Schneck. He came to see one of her performances in Chicago, and was disappointed. He returned a second night, however, after additional cajoling from her agent, and he signed Britton immediately.