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Polly Bergen Biography
Polly Bergen (born Nellie Paulina Burgin; July 14, 1930 – September 20, 2014) was an American actress, singer, television host, writer and entrepreneur. She won an Emmy Award in 1958 for her performance as Helen Morgan in Helen Morgan (Playhouse 90). For her stage work, she was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her performance as Carlotta Campion in Follies in 2001.
Bergen was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, to Lucy (née Lawhorne; 1909–1985) and William Hugh Burgin (1909–1982), a construction engineer. Bill Bergen, as he was later known, had singing talent and appeared with his daughter in several episodes of her 18-episode comedy/variety show The Polly Bergen Show, which aired during the 1957–1958 television season to much fanfare. They released a duet Columbia LP, Polly and Her Pop.
Bergen began her career as a singer, recording for Columbia Records in the early 1950s. She had several hit singles, including “All Alone by the Telephone” and “The Naughty Lady of Shady Lane.” She also starred in several films, including The Helen Morgan Story (1957), for which she won an Emmy Award, and Cape Fear (1962).
In the 1960s, Bergen hosted her own television variety show, The Polly Bergen Show, and appeared in several Broadway musicals, including Sweet Charity and Follies. She also continued to record albums, and released her autobiography, Polly’s Story, in 1968.
In the later years of her career, Bergen continued to act in film and television, and also appeared in several stage productions. She was nominated for an Emmy Award for her guest role in the television series Desperate Housewives in 2007.
Polly Bergen Age
Polly Bergen was born on July 14, 1930. She died on September 20, 2014, at the age of 84. Therefore, Polly Bergen’s age at the time of her death was 84 years old.
Polly Bergen Family
Polly Bergen was born Nellie Paulina Burgin on July 14, 1930, in Knoxville, Tennessee. She was the only daughter of William Hugh Burgin (1909-1982), a construction engineer, and Lucy Lawhorne (1909-1985). She had one sister, Barbra Burgin.
Her father, Bill Bergen, as he was later known, had singing talent and appeared with his daughter in several episodes of her 18-episode comedy/variety show The Polly Bergen Show, which aired during the 1957–1958 television season to much fanfare. They released a duet Columbia LP, Polly and Her Pop.
Her mother, Lucy Lawhorne, was a homemaker. She was a loving and supportive mother to Polly, and she always encouraged her to follow her dreams.
Polly’s sister, Barbra Burgin, was a year younger than her. She was also a talented singer and actress. However, she died from scleroderma in 1987, at the age of 57.
Polly Bergen was very close to her parents and her sister. They were her biggest supporters, and they always believed in her. She often spoke about how much they meant to her, and how they helped her to achieve her dreams.
Polly Bergen Husband
Polly Bergen was married three times, all ending in divorce. She was married to:
- Jerome Courtland (1950-1955)
- Freddie Fields (1957-1975)
- Jeffrey Endervelt (1982-1990)
She had three children, two of which she adopted, with her second husband, Freddie Fields:
- Pamela Kerry Fields (born 1960)
- Peter William Fields (born 1962)
- Kathy Fields (stepdaughter, born 1953)
Polly Bergen Movies
Polly Bergen starred in many films throughout her career, including:
- At War with the Army (1950)
- That’s My Boy (1951)
- The Stooge (1951)
- Escape from Fort Bravo (1953)
- Arena (1953)
- Cry of the Hunted (1953)
- The Helen Morgan Story (1957) – for which she won an Emmy Award
- Cape Fear (1962)
- Move Over, Darling (1963)
- Fast Company (1969)
- Kisses for My President (1964)
- Cry-Baby (1990)
- Desperate Housewives (2007-2011) – TV series
She also appeared in many television shows, including:
- The Polly Bergen Show (1957-1958) – her own variety show
- Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1961)
- Perry Mason (1964)
- Murder, She Wrote (1989)
- Touched by an Angel (1998)
- The Sopranos (2004)
Polly Bergen was a versatile and accomplished actress who starred in many successful films and television shows. She was a pioneer for women in Hollywood, and her work helped to break down barriers for actresses. She was also a businesswoman who was ahead of her time, and her success in the business world is a testament to her talent and determination.
Polly Bergen Cause of Death
Polly Bergen died on September 20, 2014, at the age of 84, from heart failure. She had been battling the condition for several years.
Bergen’s death was announced by her daughter, Pamela Fields. She said that her mother had died peacefully in her sleep at her home in Beverly Hills, California.
Bergen was born Nellie Paulina Burgin on July 14, 1930, in Knoxville, Tennessee. She began her career as a singer, recording for Columbia Records in the early 1950s. She had several hit singles, including “All Alone by the Telephone” and “The Naughty Lady of Shady Lane.” Bergen also starred in several films, including The Helen Morgan Story (1957), for which she won an Emmy Award, and Cape Fear (1962).
In the 1960s, Bergen hosted her own television variety show, The Polly Bergen Show, and appeared in several Broadway musicals, including Sweet Charity and Follies. She also continued to record albums, and released her autobiography, Polly’s Story, in 1968.
In the later years of her career, Bergen continued to act in film and television, and also appeared in several stage productions. She was nominated for an Emmy Award for her guest role in the television series Desperate Housewives in 2007.
