Pamela Austin, the quintessential "girl next door" actress of the 1960s, was recently spotted during a rare public outing at age 84. Austin, who starred in films with Elvis Presley and appeared in numerous television shows and commercials, was seen shopping at a Marshall's store in Los Angeles.
Austin, who has largely been out of the public eye since retiring from acting in 1988, sported a new look with an elegant white bob, a departure from her signature blonde hair.
Hollywood Career
Born in Omaha, Nebraska, Austin's early life included time abroad as her father served in the U.S. Air Force. She studied dance before pursuing an acting career in Los Angeles. Her film debut came in 1961 with a role in the Elvis Presley musical "Blue Hawaii." She reunited with Presley in 1964 for "Kissin' Cousins."
Over her nearly 30-year career, Austin also appeared in films such as "The Chapman Report" (1962) and had an uncredited role in Lucille Ball's "Critic's Choice" (1963). She shared the screen with notable actors like Jane Fonda, Shelley Winters, Dustin Hoffman, Vanessa Redgrave, and Mickey Rooney.
Her television credits are extensive, including appearances on "My Three Sons," "Love, American Style," "The Twilight Zone," and "It Takes A Thief." She also featured in six episodes of "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" alongside Goldie Hawn.
Commercial Success
Austin also found significant success in commercials, most notably as the "Dodge Rebellion Girl" in a popular advertising campaign from 1964 to 1967. The campaign was so successful that it was rumored Dodge executives were concerned Austin's popularity was overshadowing the vehicles themselves.
Personal Life
Austin was married twice. Her first marriage was to film executive Guy McElwaine from 1965 to 1967. McElwaine, who was Steven Spielberg's first agent, was married six times. Austin's second marriage was to Leopold Wyler, an MIT graduate and aerospace manufacturing company founder, in 1974. The couple remained married for 45 years and had one child before Wyler's passing in November 2019.