Joan Gail Bradshaw, a remarkable individual, entered this world in the year 1936, the product of a union between John Powers Bradshaw and Mary Elizabeth Merkle, who had previously exchanged vows in 1935 within the boundaries of Carter County, Oklahoma. Following their nuptials, the Bradshaw family made the decision to relocate to the vibrant city of Houston, Texas, where Joan's father, John, founded an ice cream company and also acquired a stable of horses, thereby igniting a spark within Joan's youthful soul that would later blossom into a lifelong passion for horse riding, a pursuit she began to cultivate at the tender age of three.
Joan's educational trajectory was abbreviated, as she decided to forgo further academic pursuits at the tender age of 15 in order to focus on a career in the competitive world of beauty pageants and contests. This bold decision proved to be a wise one, as she claimed her first victory at the age of 16 and went on to achieve the prestigious title of Miss Texas USA in the year 1953. Her impressive performance in this competition earned her a spot as a semi-finalist in the esteemed Miss USA pageant, as well as a coveted spot in the globally recognized Miss Universe pageant. It's worth noting that at the time of her participation in these competitions, Joan was still below the minimum age of 18 required, and her physical characteristics were as follows: she stood at a height of 5 feet 4 inches, weighed 113-15 pounds, had brunette hair, brown eyes, and measurements of 36-23-36.
Joan's illustrious career trajectory took a significant turn after her tenure in the pageant world, as she made the decision to return to her hometown of Houston, where she secured a position as a receptionist for the esteemed Texas Company, a prominent corporation that would later undergo a transformation, evolving into the well-known energy conglomerate Texaco.
As her professional journey continued to unfold, Joan's aspirations led her to relocate to the bustling metropolis of New York, where she garnered valuable experience by appearing on the popular television program, the Arthur Murray Party. It was during her time on this show that she had the privilege of meeting the accomplished actress, Jean Simmons, who went on to play a pivotal role in guiding Joan towards pursuing a career in the film industry.
Joan's early success in Hollywood was nothing short of remarkable, as she managed to secure an impressive ten acting roles within a mere 14-month period, thereby solidifying her status as a rising starlet and model in the late 1950s.
Joan's journey into the spotlight began in 1957, when she made a striking impression at Sy Devore's Halloween party, accompanied by the legendary Elvis Presley, thereby securing a significant social triumph.
As she approached the milestone age of 25, Joan embarked on a new chapter in her life by exchanging vows with Frank Ross, a seasoned movie producer, in 1961. As part of their union, Joan made a vow to relinquish her acting career, a decision she subsequently carried out.
It's worth noting, however, that a common misconception surrounding Joan's life is that she went on to achieve success as a movie producer, but in reality, this notion is inaccurate, as there exists a different individual with the same name who has accomplished such feats.
Joan's journey took a significant turn when she decided to head back to her home state of Texas, marking a return to her roots. Upon her arrival, she embarked on a new entrepreneurial venture, operating a tiki bar and motel that garnered her attention and admiration from locals and visitors alike. After a successful stint, she made the decision to sell the establishment, thus concluding a chapter in her life.
From that point forward, Joan opted to divide her time between two distinct locations, South Padre Island, Texas, and Los Angeles, California.
