MARY PARKER

Mary Parker (born Mary Frances Roberson, but widely known as "Punkins" Parker) was discovered by Hollywood during a Paramount "search for beauty" contest. She had previously been a dancer and a singer on radio. She never achieved much success as an actress, but her looks and personality (and her distinctive nickname "Punkins", which she hated!) made her pretty much of a household name in the 1930s! She had her greatest success dancing with her partner Billy Daniel, and at one time, she dated Howard Hughes (along with a million other beautiful young women). She returned to her native Texas and had a weekly radio program, and then she became the manager of a doctor's office. She passed away in 1998 at the age of 79.