Actress, Model, and Fashion Designer. Born Elsie M. Kornbrath, she pursued a career in design at the Traphagen School of Fashion in Manhattan, New York. Her talent and beauty allowed her to model her own work in "Vogue." In 1937, 20th Century Fox studios offered her a contract. Though never a leading lady, she appeared in over forty films, most notably "The Mummy's Tomb" with Lon Chaney Jr. in 1944. She also co-starred in five "Joe Palooka" films which chronicled a fictional boxer. She continued to model and became a pin-up during World War II appearing on the cover of magazines like "Yank, The Army Monthly." In 1944, she married University of Michigan all-star football player turned announcer Tom Harmon. Her dress was made from a silk parachute which saved his life during the war. The couple had three children, all of whom became actors, Kristin, who was married to Ricky Nelson, Kelly, and Mark Harmon. After appearing in the musical, "There's a Girl in my Heart," she retired from acting in 1949. She and Harmon remained married until his death in 1990. She lived long enough to see her children and her grandchildren become household names. Granddaughter Tracy Nelson, too, became an actress, and twin grandsons Gunnar and Matthew Nelson became musicians and had success in the early 1990s with their band "Nelson." Elyse Knox Harmon died at age 94 with her family by her side.
Actress, Model, and Fashion Designer. Born Elsie M. Kornbrath, she pursued a career in design at the Traphagen School of Fashion in Manhattan, New York. Her talent and beauty allowed her to model her own work in "Vogue." In 1937, 20th Century Fox studios offered her a contract. Though never a leading lady, she appeared in over forty films, most notably "The Mummy's Tomb" with Lon Chaney Jr. in 1944. She also co-starred in five "Joe Palooka" films which chronicled a fictional boxer. She continued to model and became a pin-up during World War II appearing on the cover of magazines like "Yank, The Army Monthly." In 1944, she married University of Michigan all-star football player turned announcer Tom Harmon. Her dress was made from a silk parachute which saved his life during the war. The couple had three children, all of whom became actors, Kristin, who was married to Ricky Nelson, Kelly, and Mark Harmon. After appearing in the musical, "There's a Girl in my Heart," she retired from acting in 1949. She and Harmon remained married until his death in 1990. She lived long enough to see her children and her grandchildren become household names. Granddaughter Tracy Nelson, too, became an actress, and twin grandsons Gunnar and Matthew Nelson became musicians and had success in the early 1990s with their band "Nelson." Elyse Knox Harmon died at age 94 with her family by her side.
Bio by: The Perplexed Historian
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