Roxanne Rosedale, the beloved model and actress known professionally as Roxanne, has passed away at the age of 95. She died on May 2 in Minneapolis, her birthplace, at an assisted care facility. Roxanne gained fame as the assistant to host Bud Collyer on the 1950s game show Beat the Clock and also appeared in the iconic film The Seven Year Itch alongside Marilyn Monroe.
Joining CBS' Beat the Clock in 1950, Roxanne quickly became a popular TV personality. She was known for introducing contestants who had to complete challenging stunts within a time limit. Her charm and grace captured the hearts of viewers, leading her to grace the covers of magazines like Life, Look, and TV Guide. Roxanne even had a doll named after her, the blue-eyed Roxanne Dolls, which featured a miniature camera and a Beat the Clock tag.
Aside from her television work, Roxanne ventured into acting with appearances on shows like Casey, Crime Photographer and Broadway Television Theatre. Her most notable film role was in Billy Wilder's The Seven Year Itch, where she played a character named Elaine in a memorable beach scene.
Born Dolores Evelyn Rosedale on March 20, 1929, in Minneapolis, Roxanne began her career as a model with the Harry Conover agency before transitioning to acting. She also studied fashion design at the Minneapolis School of Fine Arts and honed her craft at The Actors Studio under Lee Strasberg.
After leaving Beat the Clock in 1955 to focus on her family, Roxanne appeared on Broadway and in various film and television projects. She eventually settled in Palo Alto with her family, where she continued to work in the local industry.
Roxanne is survived by her five children, grandchildren, and great-granddaughter. Her legacy as a talented performer and beloved personality will always be remembered by those who knew and admired her.
