Here is the biography of Hope Holiday:
Hope Jane Zee was born on November 30, 1933, in Brooklyn, to Allen Zee, a burlesque comic-turned-Capitol Theatre producer/manager, and his Russian-Jewish wife. Raised in Manhattan, Hope and her older sister Judy were pushed early into the entertainment industry. Trained in ballet, tap, and modern dance, Hope made her debut on local New York radio with "Hearn's Kiddie Hour" and later joined her sister on Broadway in the chorus of "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" in 1949.
Hope's stage name was changed to "Hope Holiday" by her father to avoid nepotism talk, and she went on to appear in various shows, including "Arabian Nights" in 1954 and "Guys and Dolls," "Oklahoma!," and "Best Foot Forward" in summer stock. Her breakthrough role came in 1960 when she played Mrs. Margie MacDougall in Billy Wilder's Oscar-winning film "The Apartment," showcasing her distinctive voice and comedic talents.
Hope's success led to a contract with Paramount and a role in Jerry Lewis's "The Ladies Man" in 1961, as well as various TV guest appearances. She continued to work in film and television throughout the 1960s, including roles in "Irma la Douce" (1963) and "The Rounders" (1965). After her marriage to character actor Frank Marth in 1967, Hope's acting career gradually waned, with occasional stints on TV comedies.
In the early 1980s, Hope began producing low-budget films, including "Texas Lightning" (1981),"Raw Force" (1982),and "Low Blow" (1986),under the guidance of friend/actor Cameron Mitchell. She continued to produce films under the auspices of director David Winters before retiring from the entertainment industry.
