Evelyn Mae Bernard (1930-2014) used several pseudonyms, including "Evelyn Bernard and Eve Bernard. She also held several titles in pageants like Queen of Flowers, Miss Van Nuys, Miss Los Angeles Fire Department, Miss Lasting impression, Miss Casa De Cadillac, and Queen of Fire Service Day. Evelyn was born in Dayton, Ohio, and moved to Hollywood after a flood destroyed her family’s home. she often rejected modeling gigs so that she could be taken seriously as an actress. She worked part-time at restaurants and drive-in diners while pursuing her dreams.
She was discovered by Howard Hughes, who casted her in Son of Sinbad (1955). She did some acting on television as well, but nothing that was considered a breakthrough. She achieved more success onstage in starring role in Drunkards at the Corbin Playhouse and The Nutcracker Fantasy at the Opera Reading Club of Hollywood. She performed at venues with Dean Martin as well. She is perhaps best known for having starred in The Wizard of Mars (1964), which is a cult classic. She remembered John Carradine as being great to work with, but resented Roger Gentry.
Her television appearances were forgettable, including popular series like The Red Skelton Show, Truth or Consequences, Queen for a Day, The Steve Allen Show, and The Bob Hope Show. Lock Up was one of her offbeat roles, where she played a roommate who is murdered by a jealous lover. She married Edwin Reynolds and had a daughter named Elizabeth, who has a career in Hollywood as well. Since Eve approached her 40's, she retired from acting and became a salesperson for Avon. She passed away in 2014 after a brief illness.
"Three times I quit and decided to give up show business. I felt acting was impractical." - Eve Bernhardt
50s
