Vanessa Brown (born Smylla Brind; March 24, 1928 – May 21, 1999) was an Austrian-born American actress. She was best known for The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, The Bad and the Beautiful, and The Witch Who Came from the Sea.
Brown’s family were Jewish and fled Austria when the country became a political annex to Nazi Germany. Initially settling in France, they later moved to the United States. Brown had a tested IQ of 165 and as a teen served on the panel of the radio show Quiz Kids. She was also a correspondent for Voice of America radio. She was married twice, to Dr. Robert Alan Franklyn and TV director Mark Sandrich Jr., having two children with Sandrich. She died of cancer at the age of 71.
Vanessa Brown Filmography:
Film Roles
- 1944 Youth Runs Wild: Sarah Taylor
- 1945 The Girl Of The Limberlost: Helen Brownlee
- 1946 Ive Always Loved You: Georgette “Porgy” Sampter at 17
- 1946 Margie: Wanda (
Uncredited Role) - 1947 The Late George Apley: Agnes Willing
- 1947 The Ghost and Mrs. Muir: Anna Muir as an Adult
- 1947 Mother Wore Tights: Bessie
- 1947 The Foxes Of Harrow: Aurore D’Arceneaux
- 1949 Big Jack: Patricia Mahoney
- 1949 The Secret Of St Ives: Floria Gilchrist
- 1949 The Heiress: Maria
- 1950 Tarzan And The Slave Girl: Jane
- 1950 Three Husbands: Jane Whittaker
- 1951 The Basketball Fix: Pat Judd
- 1952 The Fighter: Kathy
- 1952 The Bad and the Beautiful: Kay Amiel
- 1967 Rosie: Edith Shaw
- 1971 Bless the Beasts & Children: Mrs. Goodenow
- 1976 The Witch Who Came from the Sea: Cathy
- 1979 Charleston: 1st Evans Twin (Made-for-TV Movie)
- 1980 Goosehill Gang And The Vanishing Schoolmate: Michael’s Mother
Television Roles
- 1951 Lux Video Theatre: Girl (1 episode)
- 1951 Robert Montgomery Presents: Ann Kimball (1 episode)
- 1951 Lights Out: Dede (1 episode)
- 1953 The Kate Smith Hour: Ida Buchner (1 episode)
- 1955 Stage 7: Julia (1 episode)
- 1955 Justice: Annie (1 episode)
- 1955 My Favorite Husband: Liz Cooper (13 episodes)note
- 1955-57 Climax: Vera/Marie Bannerman/Marian (3 episodes)
- 1956 The Millionaire: Louise Williams (1 episode)
- 1956 The Loretta Young Show: Miss Phinney (1 episode)
- 1957 Matinee Theatre: Pamela Wright (1 episode)
- 1957 Schlitz Playhouse: Betty (1 episode)
- 1958 Wagon Train: Sally Potter (1 episode)
- 1958 The Red Skelton Hour: Mary Lou Talbot (1 episode)
- 1959 The Further Adventures Of Ellery Queen: Nikki Porter (2 episodes)
- 1959 Goodyear Theatre: Paula King (1 episode)
- 1959 Perry Mason: Donna Kress (1 episode)
- 1960 One Step Beyond (1959): Elsa Schuldorf (1 episode)
- 1960 The Chevy Mystery Show: Carol Penn (1 episode)
- 1971 Arnie: Shirley (1 episode)
- 1975 Police Story (1973): Mrs. Smythe/Mrs. Baxter (2 episodes)
- 1976 Good Heavens: Mrs. Ross (1 episode)
- 1977 All That Glitters: Peggy Horner (4 episodes)
- 1980 General Hospital: Mrs. DeFreest (1 episode)
- 1985 Call To Glory: Miss Richmond (2 episodes)
- 1985 The Twilight Zone (1985): Aunt Beulah (1 episode)
- 1985 Dallas: Lady Tailor (1 episode)
- 1989 Murder, She Wrote: Alma Goodrich (1 episode)
- 1990 The Wonder Years: Punch Lady (1 episode)
- 1991 True Colors: Waitress (1 episode)
Theatre Roles
- 1941-42 Watch On The Rhine: Babette Muller
- 1952-55 The Seven Year Itch: The Girl
