Entertainer. Born Virginia Garrett, both her parents were Vaudeville performers, she was raised in Richmond, Virginia and by the age of seven, she had her own children's radio program. Her national break came at the age of seventeen, when she landed a regular spot as a singer on Fred Waring's program "Pleasure Time" (1938 to 1945). In 1939, she was sought after by Cole Porter to introduce his ballad "Begin the Beguine." By the 1960s, she was appearing frequently on television in episodes of such programs as "My Three Sons" and "Medical Center." She had a role in the Elvis Presley picture "The Trouble with Girls" (1969) and played 'Mrs. Fowler' on the TV series "Nanny and the Professor" (1971). She will probably be best remembered by TV audiences for a series of commercials during the 1970s and 1980s for Purina Cat Chow products which earned her the nickname "The Chow-Chow Lady." In later years, she performed in regional theater in California.
Entertainer. Born Virginia Garrett, both her parents were Vaudeville performers, she was raised in Richmond, Virginia and by the age of seven, she had her own children's radio program. Her national break came at the age of seventeen, when she landed a regular spot as a singer on Fred Waring's program "Pleasure Time" (1938 to 1945). In 1939, she was sought after by Cole Porter to introduce his ballad "Begin the Beguine." By the 1960s, she was appearing frequently on television in episodes of such programs as "My Three Sons" and "Medical Center." She had a role in the Elvis Presley picture "The Trouble with Girls" (1969) and played 'Mrs. Fowler' on the TV series "Nanny and the Professor" (1971). She will probably be best remembered by TV audiences for a series of commercials during the 1970s and 1980s for Purina Cat Chow products which earned her the nickname "The Chow-Chow Lady." In later years, she performed in regional theater in California.
Bio by: C.S.
Family Members
Advertisement
See more Garrett memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
