Bergen, Polly (1929–)
Bergen, Polly (1929–)
American actress, singer, writer and producer. Name variations: Polly Burgin. Born Nellie Paulina Burgin, July 14, 1930, in Knoxville, Tennessee; m. Jerome Courtland (actor), 1954 (div. 1955); m. Freddie Fields, 1956 (div. 1975); m. Jeffrey Endervelt, 1982 (div.) 1990; children: 3 (2 adopted).
At 14, as Polly Burgin, began singing professionally on radio; made film debut as Polly Bergen in At War with the Army (1950), followed by Escape from Fort Bravo, Cape Fear, Move Over Darling and A Guide for the Married Man, among others; on tv, hosted "The Polly Bergen Show" (1957–58) and was a panelist on "To Tell the Truth" (1956–61); appeared as Rhoda Henry on tv miniseries: "The Winds of War" (1983) and "War and Remembrance" (1988); wrote and produced "Leave of Absence" (1994); launched her own cosmetics company (late 1960s) and was co-chair of the National Business Council for the Equal Rights Amendment. Won Emmy for performance in "The Helen Morgan Story" (1957); nominated as Best Featured Actress for Broadway revival of Follies (2001).
See also Polly's Principles (1974).