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Born Dixie Kay Nelson on August 15, 1933 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, actress Lori Nelson portrayed "Greta" on American sitcom 'How to Marry a Millionaire', for a total of 39 episodes between 1957 and 1958.
In the show she shared screen with notable actresses Barbara Eden, Merry Anders and Lisa Gaye, who played "Loco", "Michelle" and "Gwen", respectively.
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Her show business career began at the young age of two, appearing in local plays and modeling for photographers. She also took part in beauty pageants and won the title of Little Miss America at age five.
Lori fell ill at the age of seven as she contracted rheumatic fever, which resulted in a four-year long recovery. Later on, she returned to pageants, winning the title of Miss Encino at the age of 17, at the same time she continued working as a model.
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1952 marked her film debut as "Marjie" in 'Bend of the River', same year she played "Rosie" and "Barbara" in 'Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair' and ' Francis Goes to West Point' respectively.
As for television, she starred as "Vera" in 'It's a Great Life' (1955) and later on as "Mary" in 'Climax!'
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In 1955 she was cast in Jack Arnolds' 'Revenge of the Creature' as "Helen", sharing credits with John Agar and John Bromfield.
The film was internationally successful for its depiction of an underwater creature that escapes the Oceanarium after being kidnapped.
Lori's screen career continued with films 'Mohawk' (1956) and 'Outlaw's Son' (1957), as well as with TV shows 'Sugarfoot' and 'Laramie'.
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The 'How to Marry a Millionaire' star dated the 'Battle Cry' actor Tab Hunter, however, the latter had a romance with skater Ronald Robertson at the same time.
Hunter then revealed in his 2005 memoir 'Tab Hunter Confidential: The Making of a Movie Star' that he considered marrying Nelson, but wasn't sure about his true sexuality.
As per 'People', in 1960 Lori got engaged to 'Gunsmoke' actor Burt Reynolds. However, they never walked down the aisle.
That same year the actress married singer and composer Johnny Mann, with whom she shared daughters Lori and Jennifer. They ended up divorcing in 1973.
In 1983, Nelson tied the knot again, this time to policeman Joseph J. Reiner, who was her husband until her death.
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On August 23, 2020 news on Lori Nelson's death broke. The actress passed away in her Porter Ranch, Los Angeles home at age 87.
She had been struggling with Alzheimer's disease for many years. Nelson was cremated and her ashes were returned to her family.