Fintan Meyler was a talented and beautiful actress who appeared in many TV shows and films in the 1950s and 1960s. She was born in Ireland, but moved to the US to pursue her acting career. She was best known for her roles in The Donna Reed Show, Perry Mason, Bonanza, and Zero Hour!. She died of cancer in San Jose, California, on July 23, 2005, at the age of 75. In this article, we will explore her life, career, and death in more detail.
Early Life and Education
Fintan Meyler was born as Gertrude Anne Meyler on December 14, 1929, in Wexford, Ireland. She was one of seven children in a working-class family. She attended a convent school in Dublin, where she developed an interest in acting. She studied at the Gate Theatre in Dublin, where she learned the craft of theatre. She also entered a beauty contest on a whim, and won the title of Miss Ireland in 1950. This gave her a two-week vacation in New York, where she fell in love with the country and decided to stay.
Acting Career
Fintan Meyler moved to California, where she worked as a receptionist and an usherette, while also doing some stage work. She made her TV debut on the live series Matinee Theater in 1957. She adopted the name Fintan Meyler, which was more distinctive and memorable than her birth name. She starred in over 30 different TV shows, playing memorable characters in popular shows such as The Donna Reed Show, Perry Mason, Bonanza, The Rebel, Have Gun – Will Travel, and Gunsmoke. She also appeared in several films, such as The Abductors, Showdown at Boot Hill, and Zero Hour!. Perhaps her most famous film role was the “Hysterical Woman” in Zero Hour!, a disaster movie that was later spoofed in Airplane!, with Lee Bryant playing the same part.
Personal Life and Death
Fintan Meyler married twice in her life. Her first husband was Robert Wolcott Champion, a producer and writer, whom she married in 1960. They had two daughters, Darcy and Rory, who were born in 1961 and 1963, respectively. They divorced in 1972. Her second husband was Paul Cary Fisher, a businessman, whom she married in 1974. They divorced in 1975. After having her children, Meyler lost interest in acting, and focused on raising her family. She also worked as a literary agent and acted in commercials. She died of cancer in San Jose, California, on July 23, 2005. She was survived by her two daughters and four grandchildren.
Legacy and Tribute
Fintan Meyler was a talented and versatile actress who left a mark on the TV and film industry. She was admired by her fans and colleagues for her beauty, charm, and professionalism. She was interviewed in the book A Sci-Fi Swarm and Horror Horde by Tom Weaver, where she shared her memories and insights on her acting career. She was also featured in the documentary Irish in Hollywood, where she talked about her experience as an Irish immigrant in the US. She was buried at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California. She is remembered as a beloved daughter of Ireland, and a shining star of Hollywood.
