Polly Bergen

Birth Name:

Nellie Paulina Burgin

Birth Place:

Knoxville, Tennessee, United States

Profession

Actress, Soundtrack, Writer, Producer, Make up department

Placed 4th at the Laurel Awards for her performance in "The Caretakers․"
After marrying talent agent Freddie Fields, she decided to convert to Judaism
Began her career in the entertainment industry as a singer on the radio when she was a teenager
Made her Broadway debut in the musical revue "John Murray Anderson's Almanac" in 1953
Made her screen acting debut in the film "Champion" in 1949
Quote: "I was fanatically ambitious․ All I ever wanted to be was a star․ I didn't want to be a singer․ I didn't want to be an actress․ I wanted to be a star․"
Quote: "I'm one of those people who always needs a mountain to climb․ When I get up a mountain as far as I think I'm going to get, I try to find another mountain․"
Best known for her role as Peggy Bowden in "Cape Fear" and as Leslie McCloud in "Kisses for My President․"
Hosted her own musical-variety show, "The Polly Bergen Show," on NBC in the late 1950s
Was a regular panelist on the game show "To Tell the Truth" during the 1950s
Founded her own cosmetics line, the Polly Bergen Company, in 1965

1958Primetime Emmy - Actress - Best Single Performance - Lead or Support:Winner
1964Golden Globe - Best Actress - Drama:Nominated
1964Golden Laurel - Top Female Dramatic Performance:Nominated
1983Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or a Special:Nominated
1989Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Special:Nominated
2004Gold Derby TV Award - Drama Guest Actress:Nominated
2004OFTA Television Award - Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series:Nominated
2007Satellite Award - Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television:Nominated
2008Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series:Nominated

Fast Facts