Amanda Blake, a talented actress of English and Scottish descent, was born in Buffalo, New York. Her family relocated to Claremont, California, when she was still in high school, and she went on to graduate from Claremont High School. Subsequently, Amanda enrolled at Pomona College, but her passion for acting led her to prioritize her involvement in community and theater productions over her academic pursuits.
As a result, Amanda began a full-time acting schedule, initially taking on summer stock roles in New England. She then transitioned to theater and radio acting in Buffalo and eventually landed movie roles in Hollywood. During this period, she also diversified her skills by painting backdrops and scenery for various productions.
Amanda's acting career was marked by several notable milestones. At the tender age of teenager, she made her film debut in MGM's "Stars in My Crown" (1950). Her first television appearance was in "Double Exposure" (1952). However, her most iconic and enduring role was that of "Miss Kitty" Russell, the spirited madame and proprietor of the Long Branch Saloon in the classic western series "Gunsmoke" (1955),opposite James Arness as Marshal Matt Dillon.
