Misspent Youth: Carol Lynley

Looking back at the pop culture mainstays of this Gen Xer's gloriously misspent youth.

The American actress Carol Lynley passed away earlier this year at 77, leaving behind a strong legacy on stage and in film. Born Carol Ann Jones in Manhattan in 1942, she began her career as a child model before seguing into acting. Lynley went on to star in several noteworthy film and television roles over the years, ranging from the controversial teen pregnancy drama Blue Denim (in which she starred on Broadway in 1958 and in the film version the following year) to the sex comedy Under the Yum Yum Tree (in 1963 alongside Jack Lemmon) to one of the most successful disaster movies of the 1970s, The Poseidon Adventure (1972). Lynley appeared in episodic television from Police Woman to Charlie's Angels, and the occasional TV movie, like 1972's The Night Stalker.

That smile.

Wherever she appeared, Lynley made an impression. Blonde, blue-eyed, and stunningly beautiful, she brought a subtle grace and a cat-like elegance to every role. Those hypnotically piercing baby blues gave Lynley one of the most penetrating stares in the business. She exuded intelligence and class.

Retro cool vibes galore.

Let's end on this fantastic quote from the woman herself: "I've never been in a scandal. I've never been caught running naked down a highway. I've not tried to shoot anybody. Nobody's ever tried to shoot me. My child is legitimate... I've never been to Betty Ford... No porn... No drug addictions... I've outlived three of my doctors. So if you're going to write a juicy book, I've got a problem."

All tied up in The Cat and the Canary (1978).

She may have avoided scandal with aplomb, but she certainly left an indelible mark on stage and on screen through her performances.

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