Nancy Lou Sanders was a stunning, blonde B-movie starlet born on June 29, 1925, in Hollywood, California, the day of the Santa Barbara earthquake. Her parents, Leonard Sanders, a newspaperman, and Blanche Thompson, a showgirl who also appeared in silent films, instilled in her a sense of glamour from a young age.
Nancy's early life was marked by a passion for dancing, which led her to become an experienced equestrian from the age of eight. Her talent and poise caught the attention of Don Dillaway, a journeyman actor and talent scout, while she was performing at the Cocoanut Grove nightclub. Dillaway was impressed by her natural charm and arranged a screen test at RKO Studios, which she successfully passed.
As a result, Nancy was rewarded with a six-month contract with RKO, marking the beginning of her Hollywood career. She quickly gained recognition, appearing on the cover of Life magazine alongside Jane Greer and Martha Hyer as one of 'nine hopefuls'. Over the next few years, Nancy went on to star in numerous films, including several horse operas, Westerns, and comedies.
Some of her notable roles include appearing alongside Charles Starrett in the Durango Kid series, doubling for Rita Hayworth in The Lady from Shanghai and The Loves of Carmen, and starring alongside Gerald Mohr in The Lone Wolf in London. She also made memorable appearances in a few Three Stooges comedies, which she later fondly remembered.
As the 1950s approached, Nancy's Hollywood career began to slow down, and she transitioned into a new role as a tour booking agent with Air Cal Airlines. After a 40-year hiatus, she returned to the screen with occasional TV guest appearances in the mid-1990s.
Throughout her life, Nancy was married to a sales representative for Seagram and Jim Beam for 43 years, until his passing. She left behind a legacy as a talented and captivating B-movie starlet, whose charm and beauty continue to captivate audiences to this day.
