Actress. She gained fame as a 20th-century American actress, who was known for being an endearing blond with a sweet smile. Born Eleanor "Ella" Geisman in the Bronx, New York, New York, she was abandoned by her father at age six months and was placed in the care of mainly her grandparents while her mother worked as an impoverished single parent. She was seriously injured in an accident at age eight and spent four years confined within a steel brace with limited mobility. Swimming therapy slowly gave her mobility again, as well as studying dance at Ned Wayburn Dancing Academy. She entered dance contests after high school and earned roles in numerous musical films called "Broadway Brevities," the Vitaphone short subjects. In 1938, she made her Broadway debut in the musical "Sing Out the News," a Rodgers and Hart musical. In 1940, she worked the chorus of the Ethel Merman musical "Panama Hattie" with up-and-coming actresses Betsy Blair, Lucille Bremer, Constance Dowling, and Vera Ellen. She was elevated to understudy of Betty Hutton, who was unable to perform due to illness. Her performance impressed producer George Abbott, who gave her a part in his next Broadway musical "Best Foot Forward." During her performance, she caught the eye of MGM executives, who bought the rights to the production for later screen release. In 1943, she reprised her role in the film version of "Best Foot Forward." She was signed to an exclusive contract with MGM, and would appear in over forty films for the studio. She was a box-office attraction, paired with many of the major stars of the day, Gene Kelly, Van Johnson, and Jimmy Stewart. Her film credits include, "Two Sisters From Boston" and "Good News" both in 1946, "The Three Musketeers" in 1948, "Little Women" in 1949, and "The Glenn Miller Story" in 1953. In 1945, June married actor Dick Powell and they had two children, Pamela Allyson Powell, who was adopted. and Richard Powell, Jr. Her husband's death from cancer in 1963 devastated her and she retreated somewhat from film work, appearing only infrequently on screen and slightly more often in television films. Her husband, Powell, was one of the founders of Four Star Television, owning several network shows. At the time of his death, his investments totaled in the tens of millions, leaving her and the children very comfortable. In 1970, she was asked to replace Julie Harris on Broadway in David Merrick's musical-comedy, "Forty Carats." She secured the lead in the national touring company of "No, No, Nanette" in 1971. She toured with the show for one year, to favorable reviews. After marrying and divorcing Alfred Glenn Maxwell twice within seven years, she married again in 1976 to Dr. David Ashrow, a retired dentist-turned-actor. They toured the United States in dinner theater shows. In 1982, her autobiography, "June Allyson," co-authored by Frances Spatz Leighton, was published. In her later years, she became familiar to television audiences, with her many commercials for Kimberly-Clark products for adult undergarments. She felt it was a good cause and at the time her mother was suffering from incontinence. In 1988, she was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to the Federal Council on Aging. Her own foundation raised significant funds for the research and education of problems pertaining to the aging. She remained busy as ever touring the country making personal appearances, headlining celebrity cruises, and speaking on behalf of Kimberly-Clark. For her contribution to the motion picture industry, she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1537 Vine Street. She died at her Ojai, California, home from pulmonary respiratory failure complicated by acute bronchitis. Her husband survived her until April 23, 2007.