Ann Baker

American actress (1930–2017)

Ann Baker
Baker as Corliss Archer in Meet Corliss Archer, 1955
Born	Anna Rose Baker (1930-07-23)July 23, 1930 Sedalia, Missouri, U.S.
Died	March 2, 2017(2017-03-02) (aged 86) Torrance, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1947–1959
Spouse	Earl Long

Anna Rose Baker (July 23, 1930 – March 2, 2017) was an American actress, known for her appearance in classic films and television shows during the 1950s.

Early years

Born Anna Rose Baker,^[1] Baker was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Baker, one of 11 children.^[2] She was graduated from Smith-Cotton High School in Sedalia in 1948.^[3]

Career

Ann Baker and Mary Brian in the *Meet Corliss Archer* episode "Corliss the Cheerleader"

John Eldredge with Ann Baker and Robert Ellis in *Meet Corliss Archer*, 1955

While she was a high school student, Baker worked as a model for Mademoiselle, Junior Bazaar, Thomassetti Shoes, and M. K. T. Railroad.^[1] Moving to California increased her opportunities for modeling, and by July 1954, her image had been seen on "100 or more magazine covers, billboards and the like".^[4]

Baker appeared in eight films and television programs between 1947 and 1959. Her film appearances include Men of the Fighting Lady (1954 - uncredited), playing Mary, and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers^[5] (1954 - uncredited), as a town girl.

Her television credits included Meet Corliss Archer (1954), playing the title character;^[6] Crossroads (1955), as Gloria Vaughn; Queen for a Day (1956); Casey Jones (1957), as Jeannie; Man with a Camera (1959), playing Bunny Hansen; and The Millionaire (1959), as Shirley. Her acting career ended in 1959.

By 1957, Baker felt that she was "caught in a teen-age trap" caused by her youthful appearance.^[7] Although she was married and in her 20s, people still viewed her as teenaged Corliss Archer. "My looks are against me for the more mature roles," she said.^[7]

Personal life

Baker married Earl Long,^[8] who worked in construction. She kept the marriage secret from her studio for a year.^[9] Baker died on March 2, 2017, at the age of 86.^[10]

References

^ ^a ^b "Jeans' Queen Contest Winners". The Sedalia Democrat. Missouri, Sedalia. March 11, 1948. p. 1wwpn. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
^ "Sedalian on Cover Page". The Sedalia Democrat. Missouri, Sedalia. December 13, 1949. p. 1. Retrieved January 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Ann Baker, TV's 'Corliss Archer,' Visits Her Family, Friends Few Days in Sedalia". The Sedalia Democrat. Missouri, Sedalia. January 7, 1955. p. 3. Retrieved January 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Smith, Cecil (July 7, 1954). "Corliss Comes to TV Next Fall in Series Starring Ann Baker". The Los Angeles Times. p. 24. Retrieved January 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "'Corliss' Is Hopeful". The Baltimore Sun. December 12, 1954. p. 18 A. Retrieved January 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Terrace, Vincent (2011). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. p. 677. ISBN 978-0-7864-6477-7.
^ ^a ^b Zerler, P. J. (July 27, 1957). "Caught in a Teen-age Trap!". Chicago Tribune. p. 45. Retrieved January 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Ann Baker, 'Corliss Archer' Appears for Cerebral Palsy". The Sedalia Democrat. Missouri, Sedalia. May 11, 1955. p. 1. Retrieved January 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Corliss Isn't 13 And Isn't Single". The Vancouver Sun. Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver. December 16, 1954. p. 2. Retrieved January 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Anna Rose Baker 1930–2017 – Ancestry®". www.ancestry.com. Retrieved June 4, 2022.