Rosemary LaPlanche

Rosemary E. LaPlanche (October 11, 1923[1] – May 6, 1979) was an American beauty queen and actress.[2] She won Miss California three years in a row (1939–1941), and won Miss America in 1941.[3]

Rosemary LaPlanche
LaPlanche in 1943
Born
Rosemary E. LaPlanche

(1923-10-11)October 11, 1923
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
DiedMay 6, 1979(1979-05-06) (aged 55)
Glendale, California, U.S.
Resting placeSan Fernando Mission Cemetery
Occupations
  • Beauty queen
  • actress
Years active1930–1961
Spouse
Harry Koplan
​
​
(m. 1947; died 1973)​
Children2

Early life

LaPlanche moved to southern California from Kansas with her mother and sister, Louise LaPlanche, at a very early age.[4] Louise also became an actress.

Career

LaPlanche, who lived in Los Angeles, California, was Miss California in 1939, 1940 and 1941.[5] She was a finalist in 1939 and runner-up to Miss America in 1940.[3] A new rule after her victory disallowed contestants from competing at the national level more than once.[6]

LaPlanche became an actress, signing with RKO after she won the Miss America title.[7] She appeared in films such as Angels' Alley and in episodes of television programs like The Donna Reed Show. She and her husband had a daily TV program, the Harry Koplan-Rosemary LaPlanche Show, on KHJ in Hollywood.[8]

LaPlanche also worked as a model[9]

In the 1960s, LaPlanche acted on a long-time interest and began to paint. She began by buying a book on art and a set of paints, and she later took lessons. She described her work as "impressionistic — just this side of realistic".[10] Subjects of her works included birds, deserts, flowers, seashores, sheep, and people. In 1969, her paintings sold for prices ranging from $35 to $600,.[10]

Personal life

She was married to Harry Koplan from 1947 until his death in 1973, and had two children: a daughter Carol and son Terry. She died from cancer in 1979, aged 55.[11] She is interred in San Fernando Mission Cemetery.[12]

Partial filmography

References
  1. "California Birth Index, 1905-1995". Ancestry.com. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
  2. "Rosemary La Planche - Obituary". The New York Times. May 8, 1979. Archived from the original on August 11, 2021. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  3. "California Girl, 19, Is Chosen 'Miss America'". The Birmingham News. September 7, 1941. p. 1. Retrieved September 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. Carolin, Lisa (September 8, 2012). "Former Hollywood actress Louise LaPlanche of Ann Arbor dies at 93". AnnArbor.com. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  5. "Miss California History". Miss California. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
  6. "Miss America History 1941". Archived from the original on September 23, 2006. Retrieved December 30, 2006.
  7. "TV Beauty Rosemary LaPlanche To Be MC for Theater Party". The San Bernardino County Sun. May 8, 1956. p. 8. Retrieved September 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. Tierney, Jack (March 14, 1954). "Echo of 20th and Market". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 153. Retrieved September 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. Shaffer, Rosalind (April 18, 1946). "'Miss America' Is Forced To Work Hard for Roles". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Associated Press. p. 20. Retrieved September 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. Handsaker, Gene (March 28, 1970). "She Transfers Beauty to Art". The Fresno Bee. Associated Press. p. 7. Retrieved September 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. "Rosemary La Planche - Obituary". The New York Times. May 8, 1979. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  12. Wilson, Scott. Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons, 3d ed.: 2 (Kindle Locations 25047-25048). McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. Kindle Edition.
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