Ina Balin was a talented American actress who made a lasting impact on the entertainment industry, both on Broadway and in film. Born Ina Rosenberg on November 12, 1937, in Brooklyn to a Jewish family, she began her career in the entertainment world by appearing on television on The Perry Como Show.
Her early beginnings in summer stock led to roles on Broadway, where she won the prestigious Theatre World Award in 1959 for her performance in the comedy A Majority of One, starring Gertrude Berg and Sir Cedric Hardwicke. That same year, she made her film debut in The Black Orchid, starring Sophia Loren and Anthony Quinn.
In 1960, Balin was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress - Motion Picture for her performance opposite Paul Newman in From the Terrace. She also appeared in The Young Doctors, showcasing her versatility as an actress.
In 1961, she played the role of Pilar Graile in The Comancheros alongside John Wayne and Stuart Whitman. Her subsequent appearances in The Patsy with Jerry Lewis in 1964 and The Greatest Story Ever Told in 1965 further solidified her position as a talented actress.
Balin's filmography continued to grow, with notable roles in Charro! alongside Elvis Presley in 1969 and The Projectionist, which marked the screen debut of Rodney Dangerfield, in 1971. She also co-starred with Joseph Cotten, Fernando Lamas, and Dean Jagger in the 1969 made-for-television movie The Lonely Profession.
Throughout her career, Balin made numerous guest appearances on popular television shows, including Bonanza, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Battlestar Galactica, Get Smart, Ironside, Quincy, M.E., and Magnum, P.I.
In addition to her entertainment career, Balin was also dedicated to humanitarian work. In 1970, she toured Vietnam with the USO and made several trips to the war-torn region. In 1975, she aided in the evacuation of orphans during the fall of Saigon and eventually adopted three of these orphaned children.
In 1980, she played herself in a made-for-television movie based on her experiences, The Children of An Lac. Her story was later used as inspiration for the character of Ba Nee in the animated show Jem, created by Christy Marx.
In her later years, Balin co-starred in the comedy The Comeback Trail with the lead actor and director from The Projectionist. Her legacy as a talented actress and dedicated humanitarian continues to inspire and entertain audiences to this day.
