Elaine Riley


Elaine Riley was an American film and television actress.

Early years

The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A.B. Riley, Riley was born in East Liverpool, Ohio, on January 15, 1917. She won the Miss East Liverpool beauty title and was runner-up for the Miss Ohio title in 1937. Riley also was a graduate of the Traphagen School of Fashion, and was a model for Powers and Hattie Carnegie model in New York at the age of 18.
Using the name Elaine Gray, Riley sang with a dance-music orchestra in several cities, including Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Film

Riley entered Hollywood in 1943 as an extra for RKO Pictures, debuting in Higher and Higher. She left her job as secretary to the managing director of WINS radio in New York City to pursue her career in movies.
In 1946, she signed with Paramount Pictures, where she became a recurring leading lady for Hopalong Cassidy. She worked with stars such as William Boyd, Charles Laughton, Tim Holt and Gene Autry.

Television

Riley appeared in two episodes of The Lone Ranger and in The Lineup in an episode broadcast on January 4, 1957.
Riley also appeared as Mildred Stone in an episode of The [Cisco Kid (TV series)|The Cisco Kid]. She also appeared in Highway Patrol, Episode 101, "Reformation". She appeared in a Superman episode "The Atomic Captive" in 1958.

Later years

She retired from acting in 1960, having more than 70 credits to her name. In 2004, Elaine Riley won the Golden Boot Awards, which honour actors, actresses, and crew members who have made significant contributions to the genre of Western television and movies. She died on December 7, 2015, aged 98.

Personal life

In 1946, Riley married actor Richard Martin, whom she met on the set of a film. They only appeared together in one film, Rider from Tucson, from 1950. Their marriage lasted until his death in 1994.

Selected filmography