Dorothy Provine was a popular American actress, singer and dancer who rose to fame in the 1960s with her roles in movies and TV shows. She was best known for playing Pinky Pinkham, the flapper singer in the TV series The Roaring 20s, and for appearing in the comedy film It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. She also starred in The Bonnie Parker Story, The 30 Foot Bride of Candy Rock, Good Neighbor Sam, That Darn Cat!, Who’s Minding the Mint? and Never a Dull Moment.
Early Life and Career
Dorothy Provine was born on January 20, 1935, in Deadwood, South Dakota, but grew up in Seattle, Washington, where her parents ran a nightclub. She graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in theater arts in 1957. According to Wikipedia, she was spotted by a Hollywood talent scout and given the lead role in The Bonnie Parker Story in 1958, which was her feature film debut. She received good reviews for her portrayal of the notorious female bank robber, but did not achieve movie stardom as expected.
Instead, she found more success on television, where she signed a contract with Warner Bros. and appeared in many series and guest roles. She became a regular on The Alaskans (1959-1960), where she played a saloon owner and singer named Rocky Shaw who had a romance with an adventurer played by Roger Moore. According to The Guardian, Provine and Moore had an affair in real life during the filming of the show.
She then starred in The Roaring 20s (1960-1962), which was her most famous role. She played Pinky Pinkham, a charismatic and energetic singer who performed at a speakeasy in Chicago during the Prohibition era. She also sang several songs on the show’s soundtrack album, which reached the top 20 on the Billboard charts. One of her songs, Don’t Tell Lulu, became a hit single in 1961.
Later Years and Retirement
In the mid-1960s, Provine appeared in several films that showcased her comedic talents and wholesome image. She was part of the ensemble cast of It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963), where she played Milton Berle’s wife. She also co-starred with Jack Lemmon in Good Neighbor Sam (1964), Hayley Mills in That Darn Cat! (1965), Dick Van Dyke in Never a Dull Moment (1968) and Jim Hutton in Who’s Minding the Mint? (1967). In the latter film, she performed a memorable striptease scene that revealed her wearing a full-body suit underneath.
In 1968, Provine married Robert Day, a British film and television director who had worked with her on several projects. She decided to retire from acting soon after and moved to Bainbridge Island, Washington, where she lived a quiet and reclusive life. She rarely gave interviews or made public appearances, preferring to spend her time reading and watching movies. She also enjoyed driving around the island with her husband.
Dorothy Provine Cause of Death
Provine suffered from emphysema, a chronic lung disease that causes shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. According to Television Academy, she died from emphysema on April 25, 2010, at a hospice in Bremerton, Washington. She was 75 years old. She is survived by her husband Robert Day and their son Robert Day Jr.
Provine’s death was not widely reported by the media until several days later, as her family did not announce it publicly. Her husband said that there would not be a funeral or memorial service for her. He also said that she had requested that her ashes be scattered over Puget Sound.
Provine’s fans and colleagues remembered her as a talented and charming performer who brought joy and laughter to many people. She left behind a legacy of memorable roles and songs that captured the spirit of the times she lived in.
