Rosemary LaPlanche | |
|---|---|
 LaPlanche in 1943 | |
| Born | Rosemary E. LaPlanche October 11, 1923 |
| Died | May 6, 1979 (aged 55) Glendale, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | San Fernando Mission Cemetery |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1930–1961 |
| Title | Miss America 1941 |
| Spouse |
Harry Koplan
(m. 1947; died 1973) |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Louise LaPlanche (sister) |
Rosemary E. LaPlanche (October 11, 1923[1] – May 6, 1979) was an American beauty queen and actress.[2] She won Miss California three years in a row (1939–1941), and won Miss America in 1941.[3]
LaPlanche moved to southern California from Kansas with her mother and sister, Louise LaPlanche, at a very early age.[4]
LaPlanche, who lived in Los Angeles, California, was Miss California in 1939, 1940 and 1941.[5] She was a finalist in 1939 and runner-up to Miss America in 1940.[3] A new rule after her victory disallowed contestants from competing at the national level more than once.[6]
LaPlanche became an actress, signing with RKO after she won the Miss America title.[7] She appeared in films such as Angels' Alley and in episodes of television programs like The Donna Reed Show. She and her husband had a daily TV program, the Harry Koplan-Rosemary LaPlanche Show, on KHJ in Hollywood.[8]
LaPlanche also worked as a model[9]
In the 1960s, LaPlanche acted on a long-time interest and began to paint. She began by buying a book on art and a set of paints, and she later took lessons. She described her work as "impressionistic — just this side of realistic".[10] Subjects of her works included birds, deserts, flowers, seashores, sheep, and people. In 1969, her paintings sold for prices ranging from $35 to $600,.[10]
She was married to Harry Koplan from 1947 until his death in 1973, and had two children: a daughter Carol and son Terry. She died from cancer in 1979, aged 55.[11] She is interred in San Fernando Mission Cemetery.[12]
