Christine Larsen, a petite and captivating actress, had a fleeting Hollywood career that spanned a mere seven years, from 1948 to 1955. During this brief period, she primarily appeared in B-westerns, often cast as the love interest opposite notable actors like Johnny Mack Brown. However, she also ventured into other genres, starring in forgotten films like Last Train from Bombay (1952) and Jungle Jim adventures, such as Valley of Head Hunters (1953).
Prior to her Hollywood career, Christine studied acting at the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. She gained entry to the film industry in the mid-1940s through her work as a designer of men's garments for 20th Century Fox musicals and period dramas at the Western Costume Company. Moreover, she explored her creative side by dabbling in theatrical set design and was an accomplished equestrian, even serving as a rodeo queen. Her lifelong ambition was to own a majestic Lipizzaner stallion.
Ironically, Christine's personal life was more notable than her acting career. A 1992 unauthorized biography of Nancy Reagan by Kitty Kelley alleged an affair between Christine and future President Ronald Reagan, which reportedly lasted for at least a year into his marriage to Nancy. In 1952, Christine made headlines again when she accused her 57-year-old neighbor of spying on her using a spotlight and a periscope after she rejected his advances. The authorities, however, did not take the matter seriously, citing that periscopes were not covered by city ordinances.
Before her career came to a close, Christine made a few more television appearances. She eventually faded into obscurity, and her life became quiet. Christine Larsen passed away on February 13, 1973, at the premature age of 47, due to complications from cancer in Los Angeles. A memorial service was held four days later at Westwood Memorial Park Chapel.
