Starred in Radio Dramas in the 30s, Appeared in Films and Television Series in the 60s and 70s
Twentieth Century Notable Templeton Fox (1913-1993) (photo: IMDb)
Actress and model Templeton Fox was a descendent of Stukely and Juliana Westcott in the twelfth generation: Templeton (born Esther) Fox12, Lawrence Fox11, Augusta Snow10, Mary Sisson9, William Sisson8, Elizabeth Bliven7, Nathan Bliven6, Freelove Barker5, Freelove Bliss4, Damaris Arnold3, Damaris Westcott2, Stukely Westcott1.
Born on July 24, 1913, as Esther Fox in Pasadena, California, she grew up in Chicago and studied at Pomona College in Pomona, California. She won a talent contest in Los Angeles and learned acting at Pasadena Playhouse. She changed her first name from Esther to Templeton and acted in various old-time radio shows and movies. Her best-known radio roles include Margot Graham on Dan Harding’s Wife and Trudy on Kate Hopkins, Angel of Mercy.
On August 15, 1938, she married Paramount Pictures producer and screenwriter Robert Lyon Welch and retired from show business to primarily focus on raising their two children, son Robert Lawrence (former Fleetwood Mac guitarist/singer-songwriter Bob Welch) and daughter Margaret “Maggie.” The marriage lasted until 1964 when Robert Lyon Welch died.
In the 1960s, she returned to acting playing minor roles in several MGM films and appearing in television shows such as Hazel, Route 66, Dennis the Menace, The Thin Man, My Three Sons, Slattery’s People, Gentle Ben, My Living Doll, and Peyton Place. In 1975, she was a last-minute replacement to play Ralph Kramden’s mother-in-law on the 25th anniversary episode of The Honeymooners after Doro Merande, the actress slated for that role, died suddenly.
Templeton Fox died in Los Angeles on January 9, 1993.