Hillary Brooke, born Beatrice Sofia Mathilda Peterson, was a talented actress who defied her middle-class American upbringing to embody the epitome of glacial, regal, upper-class British gentility. Despite her humble beginnings on Long Island, New York, she went on to have a successful career as a photographer's model before transitioning to show business.
With a keen understanding of the competitive landscape, Brooke realized that she needed to differentiate herself from the numerous tall, good-looking blondes vying for roles. She cleverly affected a British accent, which not only set her apart but also landed her more and more roles that called for a "British" blonde.
Brooke's film debut was in New Faces of 1937, where she played a showgirl under the billing name "Beatrice Schute." She continued to work steadily in films throughout the 1940s, appearing in major productions such as The Woman in Green, The Fuller Brush Man, The Philadelphia Story, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Wake Island, Jane Eyre, and The Enchanted Cottage.
In the early 1950s, Brooke began appearing on television, making 23 appearances on The Abbott and Costello Show as the object of Lou Costello's affections. She had previously worked with the duo in their second color film, Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd, where she played a pirate chief.
Throughout her career, Brooke was unafraid to take on a range of roles, including comedy, drama, and even sci-fi. One of her most notable roles was as Mary, the mother of Jimmy Hunt's character, who is taken over by Martians in the classic film Invaders from Mars.
Brooke continued to alternate between television and film roles throughout the 1950s, playing Doris Day's character's best friend in The Man Who Knew Too Much and appearing in Spoilers of the Forest in 1957. After marrying film executive Raymond A. Klune in 1960, she retired from the film industry and dedicated herself to her personal life.
Sadly, Brooke passed away in Bonsall, California, at the age of 84 in 1999, leaving behind a legacy as a talented and versatile actress who had captivated audiences with her unique blend of beauty, wit, and charm.
