Jayne Meadows was born on September 27, 1919, in China, to American missionaries Rev. Francis James Meadows Cotter and Ida Miller (Taylor) Cotter. She was one of four children, with two older brothers and a younger sister. The family returned to the United States in the early 1930s, and Jayne was forced to learn English, having previously spoken Chinese and other foreign languages.
Jayne developed an early interest in acting and studied at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting. She made her Broadway debut in 1941 and went on to appear in numerous stage productions throughout the 1940s. Her breakthrough in film came with a post-WWII, MGM contract, which led to roles in a range of films, including "Undercurrent," "Lady in the Lake," and "Enchantment."
In the 1950s, Jayne began to focus more on television, appearing on popular game shows and variety programs. She also became a regular panelist on "I've Got a Secret" and appeared on numerous other TV shows, including "The Steve Allen Show" and "The Tonight Show."
Jayne married film and TV writer Milton Krims in 1948, but the marriage ended in divorce six years later. She then married comedian and actor Steve Allen in 1954, and the couple remained together until his death in 2000. The pair collaborated on numerous projects, including stage productions, films, and TV shows.
Jayne continued to work in television throughout the 1970s and 1980s, appearing on a range of shows, including "The Love Boat," "Hart to Hart," and "Murder, She Wrote." She also appeared in a number of TV movies and stage productions, including "Meeting of Minds" and "The Nanny."
In addition to her acting career, Jayne was also a writer and published several books and columns. She was known for her infectious laugh and joie de vivre, and her confidence grew to include writing and other creative pursuits.
Jayne Meadows Allen passed away on April 26, 2015, at the age of 95, in Los Angeles.
