Background
She was born as Ilona Zimka near Budapest.
She was born as Ilona Zimka near Budapest.
She became a successful stage actress with the Hungarian Repertory Theatre “VIGSZINHAZ” in Budapest, playing such roles as Ophelia (Hamlet), Irina (Chekhov"s Three Sisters), in Molnar"s Liliom and in J.B. Priestley"s An Inspector Calls. She continued to act on television in such series as Peter Gunn, Perry Mason, Barnaby Jones, Ironside, Marcus Welby, Doctor of Medicine, The Fugitive, Doctor Kildare, and Columbo. Among her television roles was as murderer Helga Dolwig in the 1965 Perry Mason episode, "The Case of the Impetuous Imperial" Notable films in which she appeared include Rosemary"s Baby, Breakfast at Tiffany"s, The Girl from Petrovka, Two-Minute Warning, Being There and Christmas Lilies of the Field.
Others included independent films such as Return (1985).
Walker died at the age of 32 in 1951, reportedly due to an allergic reaction to a drug administered by his psychiatrist. She died in her West Hollywood, California home on May 15, 2008, aged 88.
She came to New York City and, in 1947, became a lifelong member of the Actors Studio.