Dorothy Arnold (born Dorothy Arnoldine Olson; November 21, 1917 – November 13, 1984) was an American film actress. She was the first wife of baseball star Joe DiMaggio.
Early life Dorothy Arnoldine Olson was born on 21 November 1917 in Duluth, Minnesota. Her father worked for Northern Pacific Railway.
Career
Arnold appeared in 15 films between 1937 and 1939. She portrayed Jean Drew in The Phantom Creeps, and Gloria DeVere in The House of Fear. She won praise for her performance in 1957's Lizzie as the wanton, immoral mother of the title character. She also guest starred on TV's The Adventures of Jim Bowie, and Dragnet.
Personal life Arnold met DiMaggio in 1937 on the set of the film Manhattan Merry-Go-Round. He had a minor speaking role; she had no lines. She was 19; he was 23. They married three days before her 22nd birthday on November 18, 1939, at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in San Francisco. Their son, Joseph Paul DiMaggio III, was born at Doctors Hospital. In 1944, Arnold and DiMaggio divorced.
Her next marriage was to stockbroker George Schubert in 1946. They divorced in 1950. She married Ralph Peck (Peckovich)"Dorothy Arnold – Society for American Baseball Research" on August 27, 1970, with whom she remained until her death.
Arnold made headlines in 1952 when she sued DiMaggio for sole custody of their son and increased support payments, citing Joe's new girlfriend Marilyn Monroe as a threat to the boy's morals."Spotlight Gave a Jolt to Joe's First Family" by Tracy Connor New York Post (March 9, 1999); retrieved September 20, 2023
Later years and death Arnold lived with Peck in Cathedral City. They owned and operated a supper club called "Charcoal Charley's", where she regularly performed for the club's patrons.
The Desert Sun stated that she died from pancreatic cancer eight days before her 67th birthday at La Gloria Clinic in Ensenada, Mexico. She is interred at Desert Memorial Park.Wilson, Scott. Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons, 3d ed.: 2 (Kindle Locations 25047-25048). McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. Kindle Edition."Dorothy Arnold" by Anthony Bush Society for American Baseball Research; retrieved September 20, 2023
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes1937 Freshies Singer Short Manhattan Merry-Go-Round Dancer UncreditedAlternative title: Manhattan Music Box1938 The Storm Nora, Bar Girl Exposed Hatcheck Girl Uncredited Secrets of a Nurse Secretary Gambling Ship Hostess Uncredited1939 The Phantom Creeps Jean Drew Serial, Alternative title: The Shadow Creeps Pirates of the Skies Waitress Uncredited You Can't Cheat an Honest Man First Debutante Uncredited Risky Business Helen Uncredited The Family Next Door Cashier Code of the Streets Mildred Unexpected Father Sally Alternative title: Sandy Takes a Bow The House of Fear Gloria DeVere Hero for a Day Dorothy 1957 Lizzie Elizabeth's Mother 1958 Fräulein Woman with Hugo Uncredited (final film role)
Television Year TV series Role Notes 1952 The Files of Jeffrey Jones Episode "Squeeze Play" 1954 The Lone Wolf Nancy St. Clair Episode "The Robbery Store"1957 The Adventures of Jim Bowie Cherry Blondell Episode "Jackson's Assassination" Dragnet Episode "The Big Help"
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