Doris Houck

Doris Colleen Houck (September 28, 1921  – December 14, 1965) was an American model, 1940s Florentine Gardens performer and film actress on contract with Columbia Studios. She appeared in 25+ films from 1945-1947. In the 1950s she was a published BMI contract songwriter.

Doris Houck
Houck in Brideless Groom (1947)
Born
Doris Colleen Houck

(1921-09-28)September 28, 1921
Wallace, Idaho, U.S.
DiedDecember 14, 1965(1965-12-14) (aged 44)
Santa Monica, California, U.S.
Resting placeWestwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery
Other namesDoris Howe
OccupationActress
Years active1932–1955
Spouse(s)Edward G. Nealis
(m. 1946; div. 1948)
​
​
(m. 1950; div. 1952)​

Biography

Houck was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Houck.[1] In 1942, she changed her last name to Howe.[2] She was a native of Wallace, Idaho.[3]

Houck is familiar to modern viewers for her roles in several Three Stooges short subjects, such as G.I. Wanna Home. She is best remembered as the aggressive girlfriend who throws Shemp Howard's head into a vise until he decided to marry her in Brideless Groom:

  • Shemp: "Stop, I'm getting a headache!"
  • Houck: "I'll fix your headache!"

Houck also performed in night clubs.[2]

In 1955, Houck signed an exclusive seven-year songwriting contract with Arthur Valanda, manager of T-C Publishing Corporation.[4]

Personal life

Houck was married to San Antonio, Texas oil man Edward G. Nealis; they divorced in May 1948. On January 6, 1950, Houck married Los Angeles police officer and Hollywood fixer Fred Otash, in Beverly Hills. They were divorced twice: the first order was vacated following a November 1950 reconciliation,[5] and their second and final divorce was granted on June 19, 1952.[1]

Death

Houck died suddenly on December 14, 1965. Her gravesite is in Westwood Memorial Park in Los Angeles.[6]

Selected filmography

References
  1. "Vice Squad Officer's Wife Given Divorce". Los Angeles Times. California, Los Angeles. June 19, 1952. p. Part II - 10. Retrieved November 8, 2018 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  2. "Has New Name". The Salt Lake Telegram. United Press. August 31, 1942. p. 11. Retrieved August 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. "Claims Second Actress". The Ogden Standard-Examiner. Associated Press. August 5, 1945. p. 22. Retrieved August 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Music as Written". Billboard. October 1, 1955. p. 37. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
  5. "Divorced Star Rejoins Her Cop a Week Later". Daily News. New York, New York City. November 5, 1950. p. B 10. Retrieved January 25, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14000 Famous Persons by Scott Wilson


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