Acting
Tammy Marihugh
Tammy Lea Marihugh, born in Los Angeles, emerged from a unique background, with her father, Malcolm, a part-time Hollywood stand-in, and her mother, Ellie, a former bank clerk. Their unwavering support fueled Tammy's early career, leading her to accumulate approximately $35,000 by the age of six through child beauty contests, modeling, and television appearances. At just four years old, a local photographer recognized her striking looks and began featuring her in advertisements, significantly boosting her exposure in Los Angeles.
In December 1957, Tammy won a TV contest for her Shirley Temple-like smile, which opened doors for her in the entertainment industry. She made her television debut in CBS's Playhouse 90, earning $200 for a brief role. The following year, she triumphed in the "Howdy Doody" Smile Contest, outshining nearly 209,000 entrants and receiving a $10,000 prize. Her appearances on NBC and the Candid Camera-style show, People Are Funny, further solidified her popularity.
By April 1959, she joined the final season of The Bob Cummings Show with a lucrative $500-per-episode contract. Tammy's film career began with a role in the 1960 movie The Last Voyage, where she played the daughter of stars Robert Stack and Dorothy Malone. That same year, she was crowned "Little Miss Hot Dog," making history as the youngest to hold the title. Although she signed a seven-year contract with MGM, her appearances dwindled by the mid-1960s, culminating in a guest spot on My Three Sons in 1969, marking her final acting role.
