Gloria Marlen, a renowned film actress, was born in 1925 and grew up in Miami, Florida, during the Great Depression. Her childhood was marked by her talent for singing, dancing, and drum majorette performances. She even had the opportunity to dance with Clark Gable at a dinner dance honoring military graduates at her high school, Miami Edison.
Gloria's passion for performing led her to attend classes at the Pasadena Playhouse after high school. This experience ultimately landed her a contract with a movie agent, and she relocated to Hollywood with her mother. She went on to star in 32 films alongside some of the biggest stars of the time.
Some of her most notable roles include being one of Lash LaRue's last leading ladies in the Western film "Border Feud" and starring in the title role of the exploitation film "The Story of Bob and Sally" alongside Ralph Hodges.
Gloria met her husband, Lt. Malcolm White, an Army Air Corps pilot, at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills in 1945. They eloped just three weeks later and started a family in 1950. The couple moved to Northridge in 1952 and then to Louisiana in 1955, where Malcolm's work took him.
Gloria retired from her acting career and dedicated herself to raising her family and supporting her community. After her husband's retirement, they traveled extensively around the world, visiting six continents and over two dozen countries.
After Malcolm's passing in 2004, Gloria moved to an independent living village, where she met her second husband, Walter Pilcher. They were together until his death in 2012. Gloria passed away in Tucson, Arizona, at the age of 92, surrounded by her family.
Throughout her life, Gloria was known for her beautiful smile, charming personality, and dazzling "star quality," which she maintained until the end.
