June Preisser, a talented acrobatic dancer and contortionist, was born in 1920 in New Orleans to a family of six children. Her remarkable physical agility was recognized early on, and she formed a vaudeville act with her sister Cherry, showcasing their incredible skills. The sisters performed across the United States, reaching as far as New York City, and even entertained audiences in Paris, Berlin, and London, where they once performed for King George.
Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. took notice of the sisters and featured them in his Follies shows in 1934 and 1936. June and Cherry also appeared in the Broadway musical "You Never Know" at the Winter Garden. With her adorable kewpie-doll looks, curly locks, and sweet, cooing voice, June was the one who caught the eye of MGM, leading to her film career.
In her early years, June played pretty girls of privilege who seemed to have everything that Judy Garland lacked in attracting a boy. She appeared alongside Mickey Rooney in films like "Babes in Arms" (1939) and "Strike Up the Band" (1940),showcasing her acrobatic skills in the "Ta-Ra-Ra-Boom-de-Ay" number. She also appeared in a couple of Rooney's "Andy Hardy" pictures.
June married a radio announcer and writer in 1942 and had a son, Ricky. She returned to Broadway that year in the musical "Count Me In." However, by the late 1940s, she had been relegated to the "B" ranks, co-starring with Freddie Stewart in the "Teen Agers" musical series of films at Monogram Pictures.
The series included eight films, including "Junior Prom" (1946),"Sarge Goes to College" (1947),and "Campus Sleuth" (1948). June's film career eventually declined, and she retired from the business. She briefly opened a chain of dancing and acrobatics schools in California but eventually moved to Florida and worked in a stationery store.
June's life took a tragic turn on September 19, 1984, when she and her son were killed in a car accident at the age of 66.
