Famous Actress Born In New Jersey, Shined In ‘Grease’ Movie

A very famous actress was born in the Garden State and most people don’t even know it.

Born with the name Alexandra Zuck … she became super famous under her stage name, Sandra Dee.

Sandra Dee was born in Bayonne, New Jersey on April 23, 1942. She died on February 20, 2005 in Thousand Oaks, California. because of complications from kidney disease, due to a lifelong struggle with anorexia nervosa.

Dee’s hometown of Bayonne held a “Sandra Dee Day” on Tuesday, March 22, 1960 … displaying a huge banner that read:

Bayonne Welcomes Universal - International Star Sandra Dee - Tuesday, March 22

On this special day, Dee was still at the height of success of her career as a motion picture actress and model.

Dee was famous for the following movies:

Imitation of Life • Until They Sail • Gidget • A Summer Place • Tammy Tell Me True • Take Her She's Mine • The Reluctant Debutante • Tammy Tell Me True • If a Man Answers.

Dee became famous all over again with the hit movie “Grease” in 1978 … because of the iconic song performed by Stockard Channing … “Look At Me, I’m Sandra Dee.”

Dee’s career began to falter in the late 1960’s, coinciding with her divorce to Bobby Darin … they were married from December 1, 1960 until 1967.

Dee lost her contract with Universal Pictures (1967), the same year of her divorce to Darin.

Dee attempted a movie comeback in 1970 with the independent horror film “The Dunwich Horror” … however, she rarely acted after this … although she did occasionally appear on television during the 1970’s through the early 1980’s.

Dee also battled many tragic issues during her lifetime, including:

alcoholism, mental illness, and reclusiveness, all were exacerbated following her mother’s death in 1988.

Dee sought medical and psychological help in the early 1990’s.

Now you know that Sandra Dee was born in Bayonne, New Jersey … also famous for Chuck Wepner … known as “The Bayonne Bleeder.”

Wepner is Sylvester Stallone’s inspiration for the mythical, iconic movie character, Rocky Balboa.

SOURCE: Wikipedia.