Biographie
Joan Staley, born Joan McConchie on May 20, 1940, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, began violin lessons at the age of three. Living in Los Angeles, her remarkable talent quickly became evident. She joined a baby orchestra there and by age six was performing with the Junior Symphony. As a child violinist, she made an uncredited film debut in The Emperor Waltz (1948), starring Bing Crosby and Joan Fontaine.
Her father's business took the family across Europe during her childhood, but she eventually settled in California and briefly attended Chapman College near Los Angeles. As a striking, statuesque beauty, she shifted her focus back to show business, singing backup on records for Sam Phillips, working as a secretary, and appearing in local L.A. stage productions to support herself.
In 1958, after being approached by a photographer, she posed for Playboy magazine as the November centerfold. This exposure led to an MGM contract and small roles in films like Ocean's Eleven (1960) and Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961). She gained attention for her role as a scantily clad prehistoric character in Valley of the Dragons (1961), reminiscent of Raquel Welch, though it did not significantly boost her career.
Following roles as lively love interests in the western Gunpoint (1966), starring Audie Murphy, and the Don Knotts comedy The Ghost and Mr. Chicken (1966), plus guest spots on TV shows such as "Rango," "Pistols and Petticoats," "Mission: Impossible," "Ironside," and "Adam-12," Joan’s career paused after a horse-riding accident.
She was briefly married to Chuck Staley; her second husband was former Universal executive Dale Sheets. They had twins, a boy and a girl, born on March 24, 1971. Aside from a brief appearance on a 1982 episode of "Dallas," Joan focused on family life and other interests. She passed away on November 24, 2019.
