Angeline Dickinson began her entertainment career as a television showgirl following a second-place finish in a local Miss America preliminary. She transitioned from small roles in 1950s anthology programs to a notable film career, ultimately accumulating credits in over 50 motion pictures and establishing a lasting presence in American television through the mid-1970s.
Early Background and Education
Born in 1931 in Kulm, North Dakota, she was the middle of three daughters to Fredericka and Leo Henry Brown. The family moved to California in 1942, where she attended Bellarmine-Jefferson High School. She continued her education at Glendale Community College and Immaculate Heart College, graduating in 1954 with a business degree. Before entering acting full-time, she worked as a secretary.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Television and Film Breakthroughs
After a debut in a 1954 episode of Death Valley Days, she appeared in various series including Gunsmoke and The Virginian. Her film breakthrough arrived with the 1956 production Gun the Man Down, followed by Howard Hawks' 1959 Western Rio Bravo. Her performance in the latter earned her a 1960 Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year. She later appeared in major features such as Ocean's 11, The Killers, and Point Blank.
Police Woman and Continued Work
From 1974 to 1978, she starred as Sergeant Pepper Anderson in the NBC crime drama Police Woman, securing a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Television Series Drama in 1975. She also earned three Primetime Emmy Award nominations for the role. Her later career included performances in the thriller Dressed to Kill, the miniseries Wild Palms, and the 2009 Hallmark film Mending Fences.
Fast facts
- Born: 1931, Kulm
- Citizenship: United States
- Education: Immaculate Heart College
- 1960 Golden Globe: New Star of the Year
- 1975 Golden Globe: Best Actress – Television Series Drama
- Film count: Over 50
- Primary medium: Actor
Questions readers ask
What was her first major television role?
She gained recognition as Sergeant Pepper Anderson in the series Police Woman, which aired from 1974 to 1978.
Did she receive any formal industry awards?
Yes, she received the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year in 1960 and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Television Series Drama in 1975.
Achievements
- Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama — 1975
- Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actress — 1960
- Educated at Glendale Community College and Immaculate Heart College
- Worked as television actor, film actor and actor
.jpg)
