Honey Merrill (1934-2014) was a model and showgirl who rose to prominence after meeting Jackie Gleason. She was hired as his secretary, but was actually his mistress while he was married. Pace, Frolic, Tops, Scope, Gala, and Tab were some of the magazines that she appeared in. She had graced the covers of twenty magazines by 1952. Her features as a statuesque redheaded green-eyed woman in her 20's made her an in-demand model. She was a showgirl -and blonde- at The Tropicana Hotel as well.
She grew weary that Gleason wouldn't divorce his wife, as he was a Catholic. She eventually left Gleason and married Dick Roman, a bestselling recording artist. Her last televised interview was with Skip E. Lowe in 1987, where she talked about her relationship with Gleason. She lived in Georgia until her death. Her daughter, Miel Roman, is a voice actress who is considering publishing Honey's unpublished memoirs.
50s