American backup singer, vocal contractor and TV actress.
Born May 6, 1927 in Birmingham, Alabama, USA
Died April 2, 2002 in Rancho Mirage, California, USA.
She was a prolific studio backup singer who worked with Elvis Presley (Can’t Help Falling in Love with You), Frank Sinatra (That’s Life), Bobby Darin (Dream Lover), The Righteous Brothers and Sam Cooke, among others. Also performed as part of The Anita Kerr Singers and sang with the Carol Lombard Trio for Elvis’ Do the Clam. In addition, she sang on the radio, with big bands and did voice work for TV and films.
She was married to Mickey Rooney from 1944 to 1948 with whom she had two sons Mickey Rooney Jr. and Tim Rooney. Then she was married to Buddy Baker from 1950 to 1957. Then she married Barney Kessel from 1961 to 1980. Also known as: Betty Jane Rase. As Betty Jane Rase, she was Miss Alabama in 1944 at age 17 and 4th runner up in the Miss America 1944 pageant.