June Drake(1916-2002)
- Actress
- Writer
June Drake acted professionally as Liz Marshall. She began her
professional life as a dancer, working on and off Broadway. June soon
began working in summer stock productions. In the 1940s, she moved to
Hollywood. She appeared in many productions at the Pasadena Playhouse.
While appearing in a B western, June met writer/director Oliver Drake. He
was making a series of Sunset Carson films. This began a life-long
partnership. June continued to act as Liz Marshall, including the TV
shows Gunsmoke (1955) and Divorce Court (1957). In the late 1960s, she worked with the
Lawrence Parke Theatre. She received rave reviews in their production
of "Loss of Roses." William Inge came to see the production and declared her
the best "Lila" he had ever seen. She also collaborated with Oliver Drake on
many scripts (for which she did not always receive credit!) including
Lassie (1954) and 26 Men (1957). June spent many hours at the typewriter, talking
through story ideas with Oliver. In his later years, she helped him to
write two books, "Stuntman" the autobiography of Yakima Canutt, and his own
biography "Written Produced & Directed by Oliver Drake."