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Rosemary LaPlanche

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Rosemary LaPlanche
LaPlanche in 1943
Born
Rosemary E. LaPlanche

(1923-10-11)October 11, 1923
DiedMay 6, 1979(1979-05-06) (aged 55)
Glendale, California, U.S.
Resting placeSan Fernando Mission Cemetery
Occupations
Years active1930–1961
TitleMiss America 1941
Spouse
Harry Koplan
​
​
(m. 1947; died 1973)​
Children2
RelativesLouise LaPlanche (sister)

Rosemary E. LaPlanche (October 11, 1923[1] – May 6, 1979) was an American beauty queen and actress.[2] She won Miss California three years in a row (1939–1941), and won Miss America in 1941.[3]

Early life

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LaPlanche moved to southern California from Kansas with her mother and sister, Louise LaPlanche, at a very early age.[4]

Career

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LaPlanche, who lived in Los Angeles, California, was Miss California in 1939, 1940 and 1941.[5] She was a finalist in 1939 and runner-up to Miss America in 1940.[3] A new rule after her victory disallowed contestants from competing at the national level more than once.[6]

LaPlanche became an actress, signing with RKO after she won the Miss America title.[7] She appeared in films such as Angels' Alley and in episodes of television programs like The Donna Reed Show. She and her husband had a daily TV program, the Harry Koplan-Rosemary LaPlanche Show, on KHJ in Hollywood.[8]

LaPlanche also worked as a model[9]

In the 1960s, LaPlanche acted on a long-time interest and began to paint. She began by buying a book on art and a set of paints, and she later took lessons. She described her work as "impressionistic — just this side of realistic".[10] Subjects of her works included birds, deserts, flowers, seashores, sheep, and people. In 1969, her paintings sold for prices ranging from $35 to $600,.[10]

Personal life

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She was married to Harry Koplan from 1947 until his death in 1973, and had two children: a daughter Carol and son Terry. She died from cancer in 1979, aged 55.[11] She is interred in San Fernando Mission Cemetery.[12]

Partial filmography

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References

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  1. ^ "California Birth Index, 1905-1995". Ancestry.com. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
  2. ^ "Rosemary La Planche - Obituary". The New York Times. May 8, 1979. Archived from the original on August 11, 2021. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  3. ^ a b "California Girl, 19, Is Chosen 'Miss America'". The Birmingham News. September 7, 1941. p. 1. Retrieved September 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Carolin, Lisa (September 8, 2012). "Former Hollywood actress Louise LaPlanche of Ann Arbor dies at 93". AnnArbor.com. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  5. ^ "Miss California History". Miss California. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
  6. ^ "Miss America History 1941". Archived from the original on September 23, 2006. Retrieved December 30, 2006.
  7. ^ "TV Beauty Rosemary LaPlanche To Be MC for Theater Party". The San Bernardino County Sun. May 8, 1956. p. 8. Retrieved September 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ Tierney, Jack (March 14, 1954). "Echo of 20th and Market". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 153. Retrieved September 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Shaffer, Rosalind (April 18, 1946). "'Miss America' Is Forced To Work Hard for Roles". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Associated Press. p. 20. Retrieved September 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ a b Handsaker, Gene (March 28, 1970). "She Transfers Beauty to Art". The Fresno Bee. Associated Press. p. 7. Retrieved September 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Rosemary La Planche - Obituary". The New York Times. May 8, 1979. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  12. ^ Wilson, Scott. Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons, 3d ed.: 2 (Kindle Locations 25047-25048). McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. Kindle Edition.
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Preceded by Miss America
1941 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Miss California
1940 & 1941 		Succeeded by
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