Deborah Walley

Deborah Walley was an American actress who began performing as a child, born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to Ice Capades skating stars. She studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and made her stage debut at 14 in Charley's Aunt. Discovered while performing in Three Sisters, she made her film debut as Gidget in Gidget Goes Hawaiian (1961) and won Photoplay's Favorite Female Newcomer award. Disney cast her in Bon Voyage! (1962) and Summer Magic (1963). She signed with American International Pictures, appearing in beach party films such as Beach Blanket Bingo, Ski Party, and The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini (1966), and in the Elvis Presley film Spinout (1966). Later credits included The Severed Arm (1973) and Benji (1974). She wrote and produced the award-winning short The Legend of Seeks-To-Hunt-Great (1989) and cofounded children's theater companies. She returned to acting in 1999, appearing on Baywatch and Passions. She died in 2001.