Doe Avedon was an American model and stage, film and television actress.
Background
She was born Dorcas Marie Nowell in Old Westbury, New York, Long Island. Her mother died when she was three years old after which she was raised by her father who worked as a butler. After he died when Avedon was 12 years old, she was raised by the wealthy family for whom her father had worked.
Career
At the age of 19, she began working at a bank in New York City. lieutenant was there that she met up and coming photographer Richard Avedon. He also changed her name from "Dorcas" to "Doe" because he felt her wide set, brown eyes looked like those of doe.
In 1948, she made her debut in The Young and Fair.
The following year, she cast in My Name Is Aquilon, starring Jean-Pierre Aumont and Arlene Francis. That same year, she made her film debut (under the name "Betty Harper") in the 1949 film noir Jigsaw.
Later that same year, Avedon divorced Richard to marry actor Don Matthews whom she met while she was performing in the touring production of Mae West"s Diamond Lil. She retired from acting shortly thereafter.
In February 1952, Avedon was driving with Matthews from New York City to Los Angeles when their car hit a patch of ice, skidded and overturned.
Avedon suffered minor injuries but Matthews was killed. After her husband"s death, Avedon returned to acting. In 1954, she appeared in The High and the Mighty, starring John Wayne followed by a supporting role in the biographical film Deep in My Heart.
From 1955 to 1956, she appeared in the recurring role of Diane Walker on the drama series Big Town.
In 1957, Avedon was cast as "Mike McCall", one of the three lead roles in the syndicated sitcom How to Marry a Millionaire. The film was based on the 1953 film of the same name starring Betty Grable, Marilyn Monroe and Lauren Bacall.
After filming the pilot episode in the spring of 1957, Avedon was recast. In 1957, Avedon married director Don Siegel.
Avedon and Siegel were divorced in 1975.
She briefly returned to acting in 1984 with a role in John Cassavetes" Love Streams. On December 18, 2011, Avedon died of pneumonia at the Encino Hospital Medical Center in Encino at the age of 86. Her funeral was held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park on December 22 where she is interred.
The 1957 film Funny Face is based on the story of Doe and Richard Avedon.
Audrey Hepburn portrayed "Jo" who is based on Doe while is the character of Dick Avery, portrayed by Fred Astaire, is based on Richard Avedon.