Gloria's early life and career in the entertainment industry began in her hometown of Los Angeles, where she initially started working in show business as a child. This early start led to her being cast in various small movie roles, which ultimately resulted in her being selected for the role of "Babs", the daughter of the renowned actor Jackie Gleason, on the television series "The Life of Riley" in 1949. This television show, which aired during the 1949-50 season, marked the beginning of Gloria's professional journey in the world of television.
Following her stint on "The Life of Riley", Gloria went on to be cast as the niece, "Penny", on the television series "Sky King" in 1951. This show, which ran for eight years until 1959, played a significant role in shaping Gloria's career and providing her with a platform to hone her acting skills. During her time on "Sky King", Gloria began dating Dean Vernon, the show's sound engineer, and the two eventually got married. In addition to her work on "Sky King", Gloria also appeared in the comedy film "Hold That Line" in 1952, alongside the popular comedy trio the Bowery Boys.
After "Sky King" came to an end, Gloria decided to retire from the entertainment industry, but she remained close friends with her former co-star Kirby Grant until his passing in 1985. Throughout her career, Gloria demonstrated a remarkable ability to adapt to different roles and genres, and her early start in the entertainment industry laid the foundation for a life filled with success and fulfillment.
