Quick Facts
LibraBiography
Jacqueline Beer (born 1932) is a French-American film and television actress. She was the Miss France and one of the finalists in Miss Universe 1954. She is best known playing the role of "Suzanne Fabry" in the hit television series, 77 Sunset Strip.
Early life
Jacqueline Beer was born on October 14, 1932 in Paris, France, as Jacqueline Vangramberg. She is sometimes also credited with her alternate spelling, as Jacqueline Baer. Her father is a well-known writer in France.
She was educated at a convent near Paris, and later, lived for two years in Middlesex, England.
Career
In France, Jacqueline Beer was a fashion model and was crowned as Miss France. In 1954, she came to American to contest in the Miss Universe pageant held in Long Beach, California. Beer was one of the finalists, in top 16, and the title was won by American model, Miriam Stevenson. While in California, after the pageant, she was signed a contract with Hollywood-based Paramount Pictures.
She made her acting debut in a 1956 episode of American comedy television series, The People's Choice. The same year, she was seen playing the character of "Marianne" in the Charles F. Haas-directed film, Screaming Eagles. During the same time, she was seen playing the role of "Yvette" and "Marie Bordeau" in five episodes of the hit comedy series, The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show.
Her breakthrough role came in 1958, with her playing the recurring role of "Suzanne Fabry," nicknamed "Frenchy," the charming switchboard operator in the TV series, 77 Sunset Strip. She was seen in nearly all 149 episodes of the show.
She was last seen in 1979, appearing as "Madam Grilley" in the television mini-series, The French Atlantic Affair.
Personal life
Beer married Jean Antoine Garcia Roady, an accountant, on November 26, 1955. They had two sons, Serge and Laurent, and a daughter, Sabine.
In 1991, Beer married Norwegian adventurer and ethnographer, Thor Heyerdahl. They remained married until his death on 18 April 2002. Beer was Thor's third wife. They lived in Tenerife, Canary Islands and were very actively involved with archaeological projects, especially in Túcume, Peru, and Azov until his death. After his death, Beer remained active in the Thor Heyerdahl Research Centre in Aylesbury, UK, and is also a Chair of the Board of Directors.
Beer is an aunt to well-known Canadian actor, Christopher Heyerdahl; Thor Heyerdahl was Christopher's father's cousin.