Penny Singleton

Actress Penny Singleton has three main claims to fame. From 1938 through 1950, the natural brunette starred in an astonishing 28 different movies as Blondie, the long-suffering wife of comic strip character Dagwood Bumstead. In 1962, she became the voice of Jane Jetson on the three-season animated TV series "The Jetsons." And in 1966, she led the first-ever strike of Radio City Music Hall Rockettes, helping bring about improved working conditions.

Although it was perceived as a slight in 2004 when her long and varied career was not included in the Academy Awards "Dearly Departed" tribute to those who had died the previous year, Singleton probably would have taken it as a compliment. It meant that despite decades of work across film, TV and the musical stage, she was able to essentially slip by unnoticed as a performer and be known only for her alter egos. In addition to her proilific career. She was also the president of AGVA (American Guild of Variety Artists) beginning in 1969 and has two stars on the Hollywood walk of fame. Singleton passed away from a stroke at age 95.