Personal Info
Birth date
1927-01-15 (98 Years)
Day of death
2023-10-11
Gender
Female
Known for
Acting
Place of birth
Wichita Falls, Texas, USA
Also known as
Gypsie Ann Evarts Stell
Phyllis Coates
Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Phyllis Coates (born Gypsie Ann Evarts Stell; January 15, 1927) was an American actress best known for her portrayal of reporter Lois Lane in the 1951 film Superman and the Mole-Men and in the first season of the television series Adventures of Superman. Coates signed a movie contract with Warner Bros. extending from 1948 to 1956. She co-starred with George O'Hanlon as the title character's wife in the studio's Joe McDoakes short-subject comedies. She acted in film serials including Jungle Drums of Africa (1953), Gunfighters of the Northwest (1953), and Panther Girl of the Kongo (1955). Her film career also included roles in Girls in Prison (1956), I Was a Teenage Frankenstein (1957), Blood Arrow (1958), Cattle Empire (1958), The Incredible Petrified World (1959), The Baby Maker (1970) and Goodnight, Sweet Marilyn (1989). Coates was one of Hollywood's most consistently employed actresses of the 1950s and '60s. She freelanced steadily, appearing in numerous low-budget features, many of them Westerns, as well as serials and a steady stream of TV appearances, both as a regular in several series and as a guest cast member in others. All this was in addition to the "McDoakes" shorts, in which she continued to appear until Warner Bros. discontinued the series in 1956.
Filmography
The Red Skelton Show
7.375
Overview:
The Red Skelton Show is an American variety show that was a television staple for two decades, from 1951 to 1971. It was second to Gunsmoke and third to The Ed Sullivan Show in the ratings during that time. Skelton, who had previously been a radio star, had appeared in several motion pictures as well. Although his television series is largely associated with CBS, where it appeared for more than fifteen years, it actually began and ended on NBC. During its run, the program received three Emmy Awards, for Skelton as best comedian and the program as best comedy show during its initial season, and an award for comedy writing in 1961.Richard Diamond, Private Detective
6.2
Overview:
Richard Diamond, Private Detective is an American detective drama which aired on radio from 1949 to 1953, and on television from 1957 to 1960.The Lone Ranger
6.656
Overview:
The Lone Ranger is an American western television series that ran from 1949 to 1957, starring Clayton Moore with Jay Silverheels as Tonto. The live-action series initially featured Gerald Mohr as the episode narrator. Fred Foy served as both narrator and announcer of the radio series from 1948 to its finish and became announcer of the television version when story narration was dropped there. This was by far the highest-rated television program on the ABC network in the early 1950s and its first true "hit".The Millionaire
5
Overview:
An anthology series that explored the ways sudden and unexpected wealth changed life for better or for worse. It told the stories of people who were given one million dollars from a benefactor who insisted they never know him, with one exception.Navy Log
4.5
Overview:
Navy Log is an American drama anthology series that initially aired for one season on CBS. It relates the greatest survival war stories in the history of the United States Navy. This series premiered on September 20, 1955, but the following year, it was moved to ABC, where it aired until September 25, 1958. The program aired for a total of three seasons and 102 episodes.Leave It to Beaver
6.922
Overview:
Leave It to Beaver is an American television situation comedy about an inquisitive and often naïve boy named Theodore "The Beaver" Cleaver and his adventures at home, in school, and around his suburban neighborhood. The show also starred Barbara Billingsley and Hugh Beaumont as Beaver's parents, June and Ward Cleaver, and Tony Dow as Beaver's brother Wally. The show has attained an iconic status in the US, with the Cleavers exemplifying the idealized suburban family of the mid-20th century.Lassie
6.1
Overview:
Lassie is the pet of Jeff Miller, an 11-year-old farm boy. The two become best friends and enjoy family adventures in the American countryside, teaching each other about love, nature and commitment.Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
7
Overview:
A much more lavish version of the popular Superman television series which had first aired forty years earlier, Lois & Clark focused more on the Man of Steel's early adult years in Metropolis. With the unknowing help of Lois Lane, Clark Kent created Superman there in Metropolis after finding work at the world-famous Daily Planet newspaper, where he meets fellow reporter Lois Lane.Perry Mason
7.717
Overview:
The cases of master criminal defense attorney Perry Mason and his staff who handled the most difficult of cases in the aid of the innocent.Black Saddle
6
Overview:
Black Saddle is an American Western television series starring Peter Breck that aired 44 episodes on ABC from January 10, 1959 to May 6, 1960. The half-hour program was produced by Dick Powell's Four Star Television, and the original pilot was an episode of CBS's Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater, with Chris Alcaide portraying the principal character, Clay Culhane. For syndicated reruns, Black Saddle was combined with three other Western series from the same company, Law of the Plainsman starring Michael Ansara, Johnny Ringo starring Don Durant and Mark Goddard, and the critically acclaimed creation of Sam Peckinpah, The Westerner with Brian Keith, under the umbrella title, The Westerners, with new hosting sequences by Keenan Wynn.Hawaiian Eye
5.2
Overview:
Private Eyes Tom Lopaka and Tracy Steele are based out of Hawaiian Village Resort where they work both hotel security and are hired by others to look into various matters. They're helped by their trusty right-hand man Kazuo Kim who runs a taxi company and is always eager to help them.Public Defender
6
Overview:
The Public Defender is a half-hour 69-episode television dramatic series starring Reed Hadley as Bart Matthews, an attorney for the indigent. The series aired on CBS from March 11, 1954 to June 23, 1955, a season and a half.Science Fiction Theatre
6.2
Overview:
Science Fiction Theatre is an American science fiction anthology series that aired in syndication from April 1955 to April 1957. It was produced by Ivan Tors and Maurice Ziv.The Cisco Kid
5.875
Overview:
The Cisco Kid is a half-hour American Western television series starring Duncan Renaldo in the title role, The Cisco Kid, and Leo Carrillo as the jovial sidekick, Pancho. Cisco and Pancho were technically desperados, wanted for unspecified crimes, but instead viewed by the poor as Robin Hood figures who assisted the downtrodden when law enforcement officers proved corrupt or unwilling to help. It was also the first television series to be filmed in color, although few viewers saw it in color until the 1960s.Racket Squad
6
Overview:
Racket Squad is an American TV crime drama series starring Reed Hadley as Captain John Braddock, a fictional detective working for the San Francisco, California Police Department. The show aired in syndication for a season before being picked up by CBS for three seasons. The series was filmed at Hal Roach Studios in Culver City, California, and was sponsored by cigarette manufacturer Philip Morris, hence there was a pack of the sponsor's brand on Braddock's desk at the beginning and end of the episode, as well as occasional scenes of him or other characters "lighting up".Rawhide
7.111
Overview:
The tale of trail boss Gil Favor and his trusty foreman Rowdy Yates as they drives cattle across the old west. Along the way they meet up with adventure and drama.The DuPont Show with June Allyson
6.3
Overview:
The DuPont Show with June Allyson is an American anthology drama series which aired on CBS from September 21, 1959 to April 3, 1961 with rebroadcasts continuing until June 12, 1961. The series was hosted by actress June Allyson.Frontier
5
Overview:
Frontier is an American Western anthology series that aired on NBC from September 1955, to September 1956. The series de-emphasizes gunplay and focuses on the hazards of the settlement of the American West. It was only the second anthology Western series in television history, having been preceded by Death Valley Days. Frontier aired premiered on September 25, 1955, and ran sporadically in its last five months. Walter Coy narrated the series and starred in occasional episodes, which are dramatizations based on actual events. The program was produced by Worthington Miner.The Adventures of Kit Carson
5.3
Overview:
The Adventures of Kit Carson is an American Western series that aired in syndication from August 1951 to November 1955, originally sponsored by Coca-Cola. It stars Bill Williams in the title role as frontier scout Christopher "Kit" Carson. Don Diamond co-starred as "El Toro", Carson's Mexican companion.Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse
5.8
Overview:
Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse is an American television anthology series produced by Desilu Productions. The show ran on CBS television between 1958 and 1960. Two of its 48 episodes served as pilots for the 1950s television series The Twilight Zone and The Untouchables.Four Star Playhouse
6.333
Overview:
Four Star Playhouse is an American television anthology series that ran from 1952 to 1956, sponsored in its first bi-weekly season by The Singer Company; Bristol-Myers became an alternate sponsor when it became a weekly series in the fall of 1953. The original premise was that Charles Boyer, Ida Lupino, David Niven, and Dick Powell would take turns starring in episodes. However, several other performers took the lead from time to time, including Ronald Colman and Joan Fontaine. Blake Edwards was among the writers and directors who contributed to the series. Edwards created the recurring character of illegal gambling house operator Willie Dante for Dick Powell to play on this series. The character was later revamped and spun off in his own series starring Howard Duff, then-husband of Lupino. The pilot for Meet McGraw, starring Frank Lovejoy, aired here, as did another episode in which Lovejoy recreated his role of Chicago newspaper reporter Randy Stone, from the radio drama Nightbeat.Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
7.61
Overview:
Dr. Michaela Quinn journeys to Colorado Springs to be the town's physician after her father's death in 1868.Death Valley Days
6.4
Overview:
Death Valley Days is an American radio and television anthology series featuring true stories of the old American West, particularly the Death Valley area. Created in 1930 by Ruth Woodman, the program was broadcast on radio until 1945 and continued from 1952 to 1970 as a syndicated television series, with reruns continuing through August 1, 1975. The series was sponsored by the Pacific Coast Borax Company and hosted by Stanley Andrews, Ronald Reagan, Robert Taylor, and Dale Robertson. With the passing of Dale Robertson in 2013, all the former Death Valley Days hosts are now deceased.The Patty Duke Show
5.8
Overview:
The Patty Duke Show is an American sitcom which ran on ABC from September 18, 1963 to April 27, 1966, with reruns airing through August 31, 1966. The show was created as a vehicle for rising star Patty Duke. A total of 104 episodes were produced, most written by Sidney Sheldon.Topper
6
Overview:
Topper is an American fantasy sitcom based on the 1937 film of the same name. The series was broadcast on CBS from October 9, 1953 to July 15, 1955, and stars Leo G. Carroll in the title role.Adventures of Superman
6.67
Overview:
Announcer: "The Adventures of Superman. Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive! Able to leap tall buildings at a single bound!" Voices: "Look up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's Superman!" Announcer: "Yes, it's Superman, strange visitor from another planet who came to Earth with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men. Superman, who can change the course of mighty rivers, bend steel in his bare hands; and who, disguised as Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper, fights a never ending battle for truth, justice, and the American way."The Abbott and Costello Show
7.053
Overview:
Bud and Lou are unemployed actors living in Mr. Fields’ boarding house. Lou’s girlfriend Hillary lives across the hall. Many situations arise leading to slapstick and puns.Terry and the Pirates
3
Overview:
Terry and the Pirates is a short-lived American adventure series based on Milton Caniff's popular comic strip, was telecast from June 26, 1953 to November 21, 1953. The syndicated series ran for 18 episodes and was produced by Don Sharpe Enterprises. Canada Dry Ginger Ale was the show's original sponsor.I'm the Law
5.667
Overview:
I'm the Law is the title of a 30-minute syndicated American television police drama series which aired in 1953 starring George Raft as Lt. George Kirby, a NYPD detective involved in solving a variety of crimes in New York City. The series first aired on February 13, 1953 and ended on July 31, 1953.Acting
2021Hollywood in the Atomic Age: Monsters! Martians! Mad Scientists! as Self
2002Reel Radicals: The Sixties Revolution in Film as Self (uncredited archive footage)
2002Added Attractions: The Hollywood Shorts Story as Self (uncredited)
1996Hollywood: The Movie as Old Dora
1993Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1 Episode) as Ellen Lane
1993Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (1 Episode) as Mrs. Howard
1991Mrs. Lambert Remembers Love as Katherine
1989Goodnight, Sweet Marilyn as Gladys Baker
1989Christine Cromwell (1 Episode) as Friend
1989The Story of Superman as Self / Lois Lane (archival footage)
1989Kiss Shot as Unknown
1988Whisper Kill as Unknown
1970The Baby Maker as Tish's Mother
1966Summer Fun (1 Episode) as Unknown
1966The Claw Monsters as Jean Evans (archive footage)
1963The Patty Duke Show (1 Episode) as Unknown
1962The Virginian (1 Episode) as Mrs. Marden
1961Gunslinger (1 Episode) as Unknown
1959The Incredible Petrified World as Dale Marshall
1959The Untouchables (1, 1, 1 Episode) as Angela Lamberto, Renee Sullivan, Ellie Morley
1959Hawaiian Eye (1 Episode) as Laura Seldon
1959The DuPont Show with June Allyson (1 Episode) as Penny
1959Black Saddle (1 Episode) as Maggie
1959Rawhide (1, 1 Episode) as Nora Sage, Elizabeth Gwynn
1958Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse (1 Episode) as Unknown
1958Cattle Empire as Janice Hamilton
1958Blood Arrow as Bess Johnson
1957I Was a Teenage Frankenstein as Margaret
1957Leave It to Beaver (1 Episode) as Betty Donaldson
1957Perry Mason (1, 1, 1 Episode) as Norma Carter, Frieda Crawson, Inez Fremont
1957Chicago Confidential as Helen Fremont (uncredited)
1957Richard Diamond, Private Detective (1 Episode) as Monica Freeborn
1956So Your Wife Wants to Work as Alice McDoakes (uncredited)
1956Girls in Prison as Dorothy
1956So You Want to Play the Piano as Alice McDoakes
1956So You Want to Be Pretty as Alice McDoakes aka Cynthia (uncredited)
1956Once to Every Woman as Marsha
1955Frontier (1 Episode) as Medora De More
1955Navy Log (1 Episode) as Unknown
1955The Great Gildersleeve (1 Episode) as Unknown
1955Gunsmoke (1, 1, 1 Episode) as Hattie Kelly, Rose, Edna
1955Science Fiction Theatre (1 Episode) as Unknown
1955The Millionaire (1 Episode) as Alice Sands
1955Professional Father (2 Episodes) as Unknown
1955Panther Girl of the Kongo as Jean Evans, Panther Girl
1954The Wonderful World of Disney (1 Episode) as Mrs. Martin
1954Lassie (1 Episode) as Miss Vernon
1954The Duke (1 Episode) as Gloria
1954Gunfighters of the Northwest as Rita Carville
1954Public Defender (1 Episode) as Amberlee Tolliver
1953So You Want to Be an Heir as Alice McDoakes (uncredited)
1953So You Think You Can't Sleep as Alice McDoakes
1953Topper (1 Episode) as Queen
1953El Paso Stampede as Alice Clark
1953Topeka as Marian Harrison
1953So You Want a Television Set as Alice McDoakes (uncredited)
1953Perils of the Jungle as Jo Carter
1953I'm the Law (1 Episode) as Unknown
1953Marshal of Cedar Rock as Martha Clark
1953General Electric Theater (1, 2 Episode) as Unknown, Heather
1953Jungle Drums of Africa as Carol Bryant
1952The Maverick as Della Watson
1952Invasion, U.S.A. as Mrs. Mulfory
1952The Abbott and Costello Show (1 Episode) as Millie Montrose
1952Terry and the Pirates (1 Episode) as Unknown
1952Wyoming Roundup as Terry Howard
1952So You Want to Wear the Pants as Alice McDoakes (uncredited)
1952Flat Top as Dorothy Collier
1952Canyon Ambush as Marian Gaylord
1952Cavalcade of America (1 Episode) as Barbara Leland
1952Death Valley Days (1 Episode) as Virginia Arcane
1952Four Star Playhouse (1 Episode) as Marsha
1952Adventures of Superman (26 Episodes) as Lois Lane
1952Fargo as Kathy MacKenzie
1952So You Never Tell a Lie as Alice McDoakes (uncredited)
1952So You Want to Go to a Convention as Alice McDoakes
1952Scorching Fury as Mrs. Penn
1952The Gunman as Anita Forester
1951Stage to Blue River as Joyce Westbrook
1951The Longhorn as Gail
1951Superman and the Mole Men as Lois Lane
1951So You Want to Be a Plumber as Alice McDoakes (uncredited)
1951Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1 Episode) as Unknown
1951The Red Skelton Show (1 Episode) as Supporting Sketch Player
1951So You Want to Be a Bachelor as Alice
1951Oklahoma Justice as Goldie Vaughn
1951The Adventures of Kit Carson (2 Episodes) as Unknown
1951Racket Squad (1 Episode) as Unknown
1951So You Want to Be a Paper Hanger as Alice McDoakes
1951Nevada Badmen as Carol Bannon
1951So You Want to Be a Cowboy as Alice McDoakes
1951Canyon Raiders as Alice Long
1951The Screen Director as Self (staged 'archive' footage) (uncredited)
1951Man from Sonora as Cinthy Allison
1951Craig Kennedy, Criminologist (1 Episode) as Natalie Larkin
1951The Sun Was Setting as Rene
1950Outlaws of Texas as Annie Moore
1950Blues Busters as Sally Dolan
1950So You Want a Raise as Unknown
1950My Blue Heaven as Party Girl (uncredited)
1950The Cisco Kid (1, 2, 1 Episode) as JoAnn Doran, Marge Lacey, Miss Lacey
1950So You Want to Move as Unknown
1950So You Want to Hold Your Husband as Alice McDoakes / Baby McDoakes
1950So You Think You're Not Guilty as Alice McDoakes (uncredited)
1950So You Want to Throw a Party as Alice McDoakes (uncredited)
1949So You Want to Get Rich Quick as Alice
1949The Lone Ranger (1, 1, 1 Episode) as Jane Johnson, Ann Wyman, Naomi Courtwright
1949So You're Having In-Law Trouble as Alice
1949So You Want to Be a Muscle Man as Alice McDoakes
1949So You Want to Be Popular as Office secretary
1949So You Want to Be a Baby Sitter as Alice McDoakes
1948So You Want to Be on the Radio as Alice McDoakes (uncredited)
1948Smart Girls Don't Talk as Cigarette Girl (uncredited)
1948So You Want to Be in Politics as Alice McDoakes