Notable Norwegians: Arlene Dahl

Photo: Public Domain / Wikimedia
Arlene Dahl.

David Moe

Arlene Dahl was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1925 to Norwegian-American parents. After graduation from high school, she joined a local drama group and supported herself with a variety of jobs. She modeled for several department stores, and in 1946 she was the Rheingold Beer Girl.

Also in 1946, she went to Hollywood and signed a contract with Warner Brothers, though she is best remembered for her work at MGM. Her first movie role was in The Bride Goes Wild with Van Johnson and June Allyson. Some of her best films were Reign of Terror (1949), Three Little Words (1950), Woman’s World (1954), Slightly Scarlet (1956), and Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959).

Dahl left the movie industry in 1959 to become a beauty columnist and writer. She later founded Arlene Dahl Enterprises, marketing lingerie and cosmetics. She was married five times and is the mother of actor Lorenzo Lamas. She made a guest appearance in his film “Night of the Warrior” in 1991.

Fans remember Arlene Dahl for her beauty and grace, as one of the most glamorous actresses of the post World War II era. Those of us who grew up during that era shall never forget her.

David Moe was born in Minnesota and graduated from the University of Minn., Morris in 1964 and received his M.A. degree from San Francisco State University in 1975. He spent four years in the Navy and 32 years in the insurance business. He is married to his wife, Thordis, and they have two daughters and four grandchildren. They now live in Sun City, California.

This article originally appeared in the Jan. 8, 2016, issue of the Norwegian American Weekly. To subscribe, visit SUBSCRIBE or call us at (206) 784-4617.