c. 1962 St. Patrick's Day, NYC (2002)

Born in Johnstown, PA; daughter of a traveling salesman. She attended community college for a year, then worked as a dancer and magician's assistant. After a brief marriage, she had a small part in EASY TO LOVE (1953) and did TV commercials and had a bit part on Broadway. She studied at the Actors Studio. Warner Bros., sensing a future Marilyn Monroe, first cast her in provocative roles such films as GIANT and BABY DOLL (both 1956). After playing the title character in HARLOW (1965), and starring in a string of European sexploitation movies, the possibility of transcending her earlier reputation as a screen sex kitten seemed to disappear. In the 1980s Baker began appearing in more promising material (STAR 80, 1983; NATIVE SON, 1986), turning in a fine performance as Annie Phelan in IRONWEED (1987). Other more recent credits include KINDERGARTEN COP (1990), GIPSY ANGEL (1994), THE GAME (1997) and NOWHERE TO GO (1998), as well as several made-for-TV movies in the US and Europe. She has appeared in several TV series, most notably as Rae Morrison in "L.A. Law" in 1986. Other series include "Chicago Hope" and "Roswell." Married from 1955 to 1969 to Jack Garfein, who directed her in SOMETHING WILD (1961). Mother of actress Blanche Baker.  Nominated for Actress 1956: BABY DOLL 1 nomination