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Barbara Nichols

A blonde bombshell of the Mamie Van Doren school, Barbara Nichols is still remembered for her roles on 1950s television, as well as her earlier work as a pin-up girl. Early on, Nichols worked the burlesque clubs and modeled for men's magazines (she was a 1951 calendar girl for "Esquire"). She soon broke into film; her busty physique and distinctive accent made her a natural for comedies and crime pictures requiring brassy--if not always bright--dames. She was seen in late '50s outings like "The Naked and the Dead," "Pal Joey," and "The Pajama Game" (in which she played the memorably-named "Poopsie"). She hit Broadway in 1961 for the role of "Mabel" in "Let It Ride." While she never became a star in her own right, Nichols's performances brightened many films, and she played alongside the likes of Doris Day and Sophia Loren. She also appeared in many television shows, including "Batman," "The Beverly Hillbillies," and two episodes of Rod Serling's "The Twilight Zone." Her last appearance was in "Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood" in 1976. Nichols died the same year of a liver disease; she was only 47 years old.