Elyse Knox

 Elyse Knox, born Elsie M. Kornbrath (December 14, 1917 – February 16, 2012)

Knox studied at the Traphagen School of Fashion in Manhattan, New York, then embarked on a career in fashion design. She modeled some of her own creations for Vogue magazine, which led to a contract offer from Twentieth Century Fox film studio in 1937. Knox performed mainly in minor or secondary roles until 1942, when she had a leading role with Lon Chaney, Jr. in The Mummy's Tomb, one of the series of Mummy horror films made by Universal Studios. She appeared as herself in the Universal Studios 1944 production Follow the Boys, one of the World War II morale-booster films made both for the soldiers serving overseas and civilians at home. Knox also was a pin-up girl during the war, appearing in such magazines as Yank, a weekly published and distributed by the United States military. After acting in 39 films, Knox retired in 1949 following her performance in the musical film There's a Girl in My Heart.

Knox was married twice, her second marriage was to Tom Harmon. The couple had three children: Kristin, Kelly, and Mark. Kristin became an actress and painter, who was married to recording artist Ricky Nelson. Mark played quarterback at UCLA, became an actor, and married Pam Dawber. On February 16, 2012, Knox died at her home in Los Angeles at age 94. Her body was cremated, and the ashes kept with family.