Mary laroche biography

American actress and singer (–)

Mary LaRoche (also often credited Mary La Roche; July 20, – February 9, ) was an American actress and singer best known for her roles in the feature films Gidget () and Bye Bye Birdie () and for her performances as a guest star and supporting character on American television series between the early s and mids, including on such popular series as The Twilight Zone, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, Perry Mason, and Gunsmoke.

Early years

Born in Rochester, New York in , Mary was the youngest of three daughters of Catherine R. (née Carney) and William P. La Roche. Her mother was of Irish descent, although she too had been born in New York.^[1] Her father, a native of Canada, supported the family working as the manager of a local hotel and later as the proprietor of a restaurant in Rochester.^[1][2] Mary received training in piano and voice at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester and by age 1