Acting
Anita Colby
Anita Colby (August 5, 1914 – March 27, 1992) was a prominent actress and model known for her striking beauty and significant contributions to the entertainment industry.
Born Anita Counihan in Washington, D.C., she was the daughter of Bud Counihan, a well-respected cartoonist and a celebrated figure among New York City artists and journalists. Early in her modeling career, Colby earned $50 an hour, making her the highest-paid model of her time and earning her the nickname "The Face." She graced countless billboards and advertisements, particularly for cigarette brands.
In 1935, Colby relocated to Hollywood from New York and adopted the surname Colby. She appeared in a small role in the film Mary of Scotland (1936) along with several other B movies, but her acting career did not gain the momentum she had hoped for. After two years, she returned to New York and transitioned to a position as an advertising salesperson for Harper's Bazaar. Nearly a decade later, her association with the film Cover Girl (1944) led to her resurgence in Hollywood, where she began acting again in the late 1940s, including a role in Brute Force (1947).
During the 1940s, Colby was employed by David O. Selznick as a Feminine Director at Selznick International Pictures, where she provided guidance on beauty and presentation to contract actresses like Jennifer Jones and Ingrid Bergman. In 1954, she hosted The Pepsi-Cola Playhouse on television. Colby also innovated an inclined bed chair, earning a U.S. patent in 1954. A devoted Roman Catholic, she passed away from lung disease at the age of 77.
