Virginia Vale

Virginia Vale, originally named Dorothy Howe, was born on May 20, 1920, and passed away on September 14, 2006. She was a prominent American film actress known for her appearances in several B-movie Westerns, as well as a range of other roles, including her notable performance as a race car driver in the 1941 film "Blonde Comet."

Vale was the daughter of H. H. Howe and his wife, and prior to embarking on her acting career, she worked as a switchboard operator in Dallas, Texas. Her talent was discovered when a Paramount Pictures representative spotted her in a leading role at a local theater, leading to a screen test and subsequent contract with the studio. There are varying accounts of her discovery; some suggest she was working at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's Dallas office when a talent scout from Paramount recognized her potential.

In her early film career, Vale appeared under her birth name before adopting the stage name Virginia Vale, which was selected for the female winner of the 1939 Gateway to Hollywood contest—a nationwide talent competition sponsored by producer Jesse Lasky, where she triumphed over fellow contestant Rhonda Fleming.

Following her film career, Vale transitioned to a role as an executive secretary at Lockheed and served as a judge for the US Figure Skating Association, earning accolades for her 50 years of service. She had also competed in skating before becoming a judge. Her legacy was honored at the 2002 U.S. figure skating championships, and a trophy for "most outstanding performance" was established in her name at the 2007 California Championships.