Pamela Britton
A versatile actress who moved from film noir intensity to beloved television comedy, leaving a mark in both darkness and light.
1923–1974 (age 51)·American actress and singer·Birthday: March 19·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Pamela Britton’s career was a study in contrasts. She first captured attention in the grim 1950 film D.O.A., playing a sympathetic girlfriend in a story about a poisoned man. That dramatic turn belied the comedic spark that would define her later work. Britton was equally at home on Broadway, where she honed her timing, and in Hollywood’s studio system. Her most enduring role came in the 1960s as the endearingly daffy landlady Lorelei Brown on 'My Favorite Martian,' where her musical talents and gift for physical comedy shone. Her path wove through serious drama, stage musicals, and sitcoms, showcasing a range that kept her working steadily for decades until her death at age 51.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Pamela was born in 1923, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Pamela Was Born
The biggest hits of 1923
#1 Movie
The Covered Wagon
Pamela's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1923Born
The Great Kanto earthquake devastates Tokyo
President: Calvin Coolidge"Yes! We Have No Bananas" — Billy Jones
1928Started school
Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin; Mickey Mouse debuts
President: Calvin Coolidge"Ol' Man River" — Paul WhitemanBest Picture: Wings
1936Became a teenager
Jesse Owens wins four golds at the Berlin Olympics
Gas: $0.19/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"The Way You Look Tonight" — Fred AstaireBest Picture: The Great Ziegfeld
1939Could drive
World War II begins; The Wizard of Oz premieres
Gas: $0.19/galMin wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Over the Rainbow" — Judy GarlandBest Picture: Gone with the Wind
1941Could vote
Pearl Harbor attack brings the US into WWII
Gas: $0.19/galHome: $3,060Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Chattanooga Choo Choo" — Glenn MillerBest Picture: How Green Was My Valley
1944Turned 21
D-Day: Allied forces land at Normandy
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $3,400Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Swinging on a Star" — Bing CrosbyBest Picture: Going My Way
1953Turned 30
DNA structure discovered by Watson and Crick
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $8,750Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Song from Moulin Rouge" — Percy FaithBest Picture: From Here to Eternity
1963Turned 40
JFK assassinated in Dallas; Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream' speech
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $13,100Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"Sugar Shack" — Jimmy Gilmer & The FireballsBest Picture: Tom Jones
1973Turned 50
US withdraws from Vietnam; Roe v. Wade decided
Gas: $0.39/galHome: $22,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" — Tony Orlando & DawnBest Picture: The Sting
1974Died at 51
Nixon resigns the presidency
Gas: $0.53/galHome: $22,600Min wage: $2.00/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"The Way We Were" — Barbra StreisandBest Picture: The Godfather Part II
Key Achievements
- Played the female lead opposite Edmond O'Brien in the influential film noir classic D.O.A. (1950).
- Portrayed Lorelei Brown in the popular CBS television series My Favorite Martian for its entire run from 1963 to 1966.
- Appeared in several Broadway productions, including a starring role in the musical 'Top Banana' in 1951.
- Had a recurring role as Daisy June on the television soap opera 'General Hospital' in the early 1970s.
Did You Know?
She was a trained singer and performed in musical theatre on Broadway.
She was once considered for the role of Miss Moneypenny in the James Bond film Dr. No.
Her father was a professional baseball player for the Cincinnati Reds.
She died from complications of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
“A laugh from the audience is the best note you can get.”
