Hollywood has lost yet another iconic starlet. Best known for her roles in “Lassie” and “Hey Mulligan,” Carla Belina certainly left an indelible mark on the entertainment world. Balenda was born on November 22, 1925 in Carthage, New York. Her career spanned mostly from the 1940s through the 1960s, in what many of us often see referred to as the “Golden Age.”
Early Life and Career
Born Sally Bliss, Balenda grew up in a family that valued education and the arts. Her father, a science teacher, had moved the family from Ohio to New York and later to Amityville, Long Island. She developed an interest in acting at a young age and was part of summer stock theater productions. This curiosity eventually led her to Hollywood, where she signed with Howard Hughes’ studio and adopted the stage name Carla Balenda.
Carla Balenda 98, who starred as Mickey Rooney’s girlfriend on the NBC sitcom Hey Mulligan, has died. My dear late friend Mickey and I at an Austrian National Day celebration at the Consuls mansion in Los Angeles. https://t.co/9fuKaCU4jF https://t.co/Hdhs1yt8Em pic.twitter.com/h3eTSvaIdB
— Sybil Danning (@sybildanning) July 23, 2024
Rise to Fame
Balenda’s early roles included appearances in films like ‘Swing in the Saddle’, ‘Dancing in Manhattan’, and ‘Meet Miss Bobby Socks’. She also gained significant exposure through her television roles, particularly as Pat in ‘The Mickey Rooney Show’ from 1954 to 1955, and as Betty Leonard in ‘The Adventures of Dr. Fu Manchu’ from 1955 to 1956. Her performances in these shows and movies helped establish her as a notable actress of the time.
Carla Balenda 98, who starred alongside Dana Andrews and Claude Rains in the RKO Pictures thriller Sealed Cargo and portrayed Mickey Rooney's girlfriend on the NBC sitcom Hey Mulligan, has died. From top left: Mickey Rooney, Carla Balenda, Regis Toomey and Claire Carleton.😢 pic.twitter.com/Op1mjoLAiV
— Sumner (@renmusb1) July 22, 2024
Personal Life and Later Years
Aside from her acting career, Balenda led a life filled with love and family. She married John Martin in 1944, with whom she had two sons before divorcing in 1959. Six years later, she married William Rutter, a prominent California attorney and author, and they were together until his passing in 2012. Her personal life and family were just as important to her as her career.
Carla Balenda’s remarkable journey has left a lasting impact on Hollywood. Her dedication to her craft, her versatility across various roles, and her resilience in both her personal and professional life serve as a testament to her enduring legacy. As we reflect on her life, we are reminded of the importance of hard work, perseverance, and the pursuit of one’s passions.
More from Around the Web:
Carla Balenda on The Mickey Rooney Show:
Balenda was known as one of the oldest living actresses from the Golden Age:
The hypnosis scene from The Prisoner of Dr Fu Manchu:
