Who is Debra Paget? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Debralee Griffin

Age: 91 Years, 91 Year Old Females

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Budd Boetticher (m. 1960–1961), David Street (m. 1958–1958), Louis Kung (m. 1962–1980)

father: Frank Henry Griffin

mother: Margaret Allen

siblings: Frank Griffin, Lisa Gaye, Teala Loring

children: Gregory Kung

Actresses American Women

Height: 5'2" (157 cm), 5'2" Females

U.S. State: Colorado

City: Denver, Colorado

Recommended For You

1

What are some popular movies Debra Paget starred in?

Debra Paget starred in movies such as "The Ten Commandments," "Love Me Tender," "Broken Arrow," "Princess of the Nile," and "Bird of Paradise."
2

What is Debra Paget's ethnicity?

Debra Paget is of mixed German and English descent.
3

Did Debra Paget have any notable dance sequences in her films?

Yes, Debra Paget showcased her dance skills in films like "The Ten Commandments" and "Bird of Paradise."
4

Was Debra Paget known for playing any specific types of characters in her movies?

Debra Paget was often cast in roles that showcased her talent for portraying exotic or mysterious characters.
5

Did Debra Paget have a signature style or fashion influence?

Debra Paget was known for her elegant and glamorous on-screen style, often seen wearing elaborate costumes in her films.

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Childhood & Early Life

Debra Paget was born on August 19, 1933, in Denver, Colorado to Frank Henry Griffin and Margaret Allen. Her father was a painter, while her mother was a stage actress.

She had three sisters and a brother. Her brother Frank Griffin and sisters, Teala Loring and Lisa Gaye, also worked in the film industry.

Her family moved to Los Angeles in the 1930s to stay close to the entertainment industry.

Her mother enrolled Debra in dance and drama classes. In Los Angles, she studied at ‘Hollywood Professional School’. At 14, she was enrolled in ‘Fox Studio School’.

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Career

Debra Paget got her first professional acting job at eight, while her stage debut was in Shakespeare's ‘Merry Wives of Windsor’ in 1946. She then appeared in film noir ‘Cry in the City’ in 1948. 20th Century Fox was impressed by her performance and signed a long-term contract with her.

She was just out of college when she got her first prominent role in the 1950 western ‘Broken Arrow’, which was a huge success. This was also her first movie with 20th Century Fox.

She received top billing from Fox for her performance in the adventure film ‘Princess of the Nile’ in 1954. Though the film was not a huge success at the box office, Debra's fan mail started flooding.

She was tested for the lead role in ‘Sheena: The Queen of the Jungle’ (1953), but was not selected for it. She however worked alongside Elvis Presley in ‘Love Me Tender’ in 1956. Presley was smitten by her beauty, and she later claimed that he wanted to marry her.

Debra played the role of Lilia in the epic religious drama film ‘The Ten Commandments’ (1956), for which she never auditioned. She was asked to report directly to Paramount to start filming. Her last work with Fox was in the 1957 film noir adventure ‘The River's Edge’.

She did two films with Paramount before going to Germany. Her energetic dance scenes in ‘The Indian Tomb’ (1959) became very popular, and she will always be remembered for them. She also worked in ‘The Tiger of Eschnapur’ in the same year, which was also a huge success.

Debra appeared in the historical drama ‘Cleopatra's Daughter’ (1960) and the epic adventure ‘Rome 1585’ (1961), both of which were shot in Italy. Her last film ‘The Haunted Palace’ belonged to the horror genre, and it released in 1963.

She appeared in television shows throughout her career. Her most notable work was in the show ‘The Rawhide’ between 1960 and 1962. She also participated in radio plays for Family Theater in the 1950s.

She hosted her own show ‘An Interlude with Debra Paget’ in the early 1990s.

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Major Works

The biblical epic ‘The Ten Commandments’ (1956) was Debra Paget’s most successful film.

Her energetic dance sequence, which was meant to charm a giant snake in the film ‘The Indian Tomb’ (1959), became very popular.

Family & Personal Life

Debra Paget married actor and singer David Street on January 14, 1958. However, they got divorced a few months later, on April 11, 1958.

She married director Budd Boettichier on March 27, 1960, and divorced him on August 24, 1961.

Debra married Ling-Chieh Kung, a wealthy Chinese-American oil industry executive, on April 19, 1962. She retired from acting after her third marriage. Kung was the nephew of Madame Chiang Kai-Shek. They had a son together, Gregory Kung, who was the only child of Debra Paget. The couple divorced in 1980.

Facts About Debra Paget

Debra Paget was known for her unique ability to speak three languages fluently: English, Spanish, and French.

Paget was a skilled dancer and often incorporated her dancing talents into her film roles, showcasing her grace and agility.

She was a talented painter and enjoyed creating artwork in her spare time, showcasing her creativity beyond the realm of acting.

Paget had a passion for animals and was actively involved in animal welfare causes, demonstrating her compassion and dedication to helping those in need.

In addition to her acting career, Paget also had a successful career as a singer, recording several songs that showcased her versatile voice and musical talent.

Debra Paget Biography

You wanted to know

What are some popular movies Debra Paget starred in?

What is Debra Paget's ethnicity?

Did Debra Paget have any notable dance sequences in her films?

Was Debra Paget known for playing any specific types of characters in her movies?

Did Debra Paget have a signature style or fashion influence?