Chris Noel was a stunning blonde who graced the California shores in the 1960s, reminiscent of fellow beauties Sandra Dee, Linda Evans, Yvette Mimieux, and Sharon Tate. However, unlike them, Chris took a different route, focusing on a more meaningful path.
Born in 1941 in West Palm Beach, Florida, Chris began her career as a cheerleader, model, and beauty pageant winner. She made her film debut in Soldier in the Rain (1963) alongside Steve McQueen and later received star billing in Beach Ball (1965) opposite Edd Byrnes.
Chris appeared in several films, including Wild Wild Winter (1966) and Girl Happy (1965) alongside Elvis Presley. However, she was not satisfied with her career or life.
A turning point came when Chris visited a VA hospital in 1965, which led her to audition for the Armed Forces Network (AFN) and host her own radio show for GIs in Vietnam. She became a favorite among the troops, flying to remote areas and risking her own life to bring entertainment to those in need.
After the war, Chris struggled with postwar trauma, stress, ill health, and depression. Her first husband, a Green Beret captain, took his own life in 1969, and her subsequent marriages ended in divorce.
Undeterred, Chris dedicated her life to helping veterans, operating shelters in Florida in the 1990s. She became a symbol of courage and resilience, inspiring others with her remarkable story.
Chris Noel's life was marked by both glamour and tragedy, but ultimately, she is remembered as a remarkable, courageous lady who made a lasting impact on the lives of those who fought for their country.
