Mary Jane Hayes, later known as Allison Hayes, was a renowned actress born on March 6, 1930, in Charleston, West Virginia. She gained prominence as the 1949 Washington, D.C. entry in the Miss America pageant, after which she adopted the stage name Allison.
Prior to her Hollywood debut, Allison started her career in local Washington television before moving to Universal Pictures in the early 1950s. She was initially groomed by the studio, but was primarily cast in B-movies. Her film debut was in Francis Joins the WACS (1954),where she played a supporting role alongside a speaking mule.
Allison's notable performances include her devilishly alluring portrayal of "Livia" in The Undead (1957) and her co-starring role with B-movie legend Tor Johnson in The Unearthly (1957). Her iconic role in Attack of the 50 Foot Woman (1958) cemented her status as a staple in classic B-grade horror films.
Beyond horror, Allison demonstrated her versatility as an actress, excelling in drama as seen in her guest appearance on the television series The Untouchables (1959) in the highly-rated episode, The Rusty Heller Story (1960). She also showcased her comedic skills in the Dean Martin film, Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed? (1963).
Allison's final film appearance was in the Elvis Presley movie, Tickle Me (1965),written by the legendary Elwood Ullman. Unfortunately, her health began to decline in the 1960s, and she passed away on February 27, 1977, due to either leukemia or lead poisoning caused by doctor-prescribed calcium supplements. Despite her untimely death, Allison Hayes' legacy in films continues to be celebrated by her devoted fans.
