June Shirley Kirby (January 5, 1928 – March 6, 2022) was an American actress and model, who spent most of her career as a wardrobe mistress in Hollywood productions' costume departments. She was a showgirl at The Diamond Horseshoe in the late forties and was spotted by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer which offered her a couple of film parts as a Goldwyn Girl such as in Vincente Minnelli's Kismet (1955) and Joseph L. Mankiewicz's Guys and Dolls (1955) featured opposite Marlon Brando, Larri Thomas and Pat Sheehan. Kirby also performed on Broadway in As the Girls Go (1948–1950), and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.
Early years Born in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, Kirby was raised in Jersey City, New JerseyCail, Howard L. "Here’s A Goldwyn Quintet In Guys And Dolls", Evening Express, September 15, 1955. Accessed March 19, 2023, via Newspapers.com. "June.... A native of Bay Ridge, N.Y., she grew up in Jersey City. Following high school Miss Kirbv went back over the Hudson River to train as a model and study dramatics" and earned a diploma at James J. Ferris High School in Jersey City.Adams, Vincent. "Modeling, Teaching, Acting, Keep June of Bay Ridge Busy", New York Daily News, November 23, 1948. Accessed March 19, 2023, via Newspapers.com. "One of the busiest girls in Brooklyn is lovely June Kirby of Bay Ridge, who scarcely has time to say 'good morning' before plunging into her daily routine.... In the class book at Ferris High School in Jersey City June is listed as the prettiest member of her class and the girl with the most glamorous hair." She later attended Kingston University where she studied fashion.
Career Kirby worked as a model. In 1946, she was named "posture queen of America" by the National Chiropractic Association. She was in Famous Models Magazine dated June 1950.
In 1955, Kirby worked as the wardrobe mistress for the British science fiction film Timeslip, also known as The Atomic Man. Her role involved overseeing the costume department and ensuring the visual consistency of the characters' attire.
In 1971, she served as the wardrobe mistress for the British comedy film On the Buses, contributing to the costume design and maintenance for the cast.
Personal life Kirby dated men such as Mickey Rooney. She married Roy B. Whitlock on August 20, 1960, and they had a daughter named Shawn. Whitlock died on December 23, 1984. She later married Bob Przybysz. Kirby died on March 6, 2022, aged 94, in Aiken, South Carolina.
Filmography
Actress YearTitleDirectorRoleNotes1955KismetVincente MinnelliHarem lady - Goldwyn Girl1955Guys and DollsJoseph L. Mankiewicz The Hot Box Girls numberThe number included Kirby, Pat Sheehan and Larri Thomas.1955The Eddie Cantor Comedy TheatreEddie Davis –Season 1, Episode 26: What Do You Want in a Show.1957Highway PatrolEddie DavisBarbara FranklinSeason 2, Episode 18: Statute of Limitations.1957The Garment JungleVincent Sherman & Robert Aldrich.The model1957Silk StockingsRouben MamoulianModel1958The Last HurrahJohn FordModel1960Bells Are RingingVincente MinnelliParty Guest
Costume designer YearTitleDirectorNotes1954The DiamondDennis O'Keefe & Montgomery Tully1955 - 1956Fabian of the YardCharles Saunders 5 episodes:- The Masterpiece- Cocktail Girl- The Ribbon Trap- The Sixth Dagger- The Lover's Knot1962Lunch HourJames Hill1972Along the Way (1972)T.S. Lyndon-Haynes & John Reeve
Wardrobe department
YearTitleDirectorHead of CostumeNotes1956The Adventures of the Big ManDon Chaffey10 episodes:- The Smugglers- The Frightened Angels- The Door of Gold- The Thief- Lady Killer- The Gun Runners- Secret Enemy- The Magenta Box- The Amazon Bandit- The Bomb1971On the BusesHarry BoothRosemary Burrows1983The KeepMichael MannAnthony Mendleson1984SupergirlJeannot SzwarcEmma Porteous
Special effects YearTitleDirectorNotes1982The Dark CrystalJim Henson & Frank OzCreatures fabricator for the Mystic Unit
References
External links