began her acting career after being a beauty contestant in pageants in California from 1939 to 1940. In 1940, she won the Miss California Pageant, making a total of 15 contest victories. She was disqualified later when it was found she was underage. The second-place contestant (Rosemary LaPlanche) won the Miss America Pageant in 1941.

She signed a contract with Columbia Pictures after a talent scout saw her perform