Elizabeth Burgess, born on February 15, 1917, in Los Angeles, California, was a talented individual who began her journey in the entertainment industry at a young age. Her father's work with the Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra sparked her interest in the arts, and she started taking voice lessons and singing on the radio at just seven years old. Additionally, Betty studied tap dancing and learned to play the guitar, demonstrating her versatility and passion for performance.
As she grew older, Betty's dream of being on the stage became a reality when she enrolled in a dramatic school. At the age of 18, she was discovered by a talent agent and began appearing in local plays. Her petite stature, at just over five feet tall and weighing 100 pounds, did not hinder her from landing the lead role in the 1935 musical Coronado, beating out 40 other actresses for the part. Her performance received rave reviews, and she went on to secure supporting roles in the drama Tough To Handle and I Demand Payment.
Betty's personal life was just as eventful as her professional career. She married comedian Sonny Lamont in 1938 and had a son, touring vaudeville together and costarring in the 1939 western The Adventures of the Masked Phantom. This would be her final film appearance, as she decided to devote herself to being a mother. After divorcing Sonny, she married 39-year-old Donald Johansen in 1941, with whom she had a daughter named Rebecca, but the couple divorced soon after.
Betty's next marriage was to professional wrestler George Zaharias in 1960, but the union lasted only six months. In 1962, she married her fourth husband, Dr. Charles E. Magner, and moved to Montana, where she spent her time painting and collecting antiques. However, the couple divorced in 1985, and Betty returned to California.
Betty Burgess passed away on November 15, 2002, at the age of 85, and was buried at Oak Park Cemetery in Claremont, California. Throughout her life, she remained dedicated to her passions, whether on stage or in her personal life, leaving behind a legacy of her talents and experiences.
