Anna-Lisa was born in Oslo, Norway, Anna Lisa Ruud,[2] and worked there at the Central Theater.

[3] In the late '50s, she guest-starred in the Western television series Sugarfoot, Maverick, and Bronco, all of which were aired by ABC/Warner Bros.[2] She guest-starred on the 1960 series, The Islanders, an adventure/drama set in the South Pacific, and on Bonanza (episode: "The Savage") and Gunsmoke (episode: "The Blacksmith").

Anna-Lisa then acquired a recurring role as Nora Travers in the ABC Western series Black Saddle, with Peter Breck and Russell Johnson.

[4] Her success in Black Saddle resulted in roles in two spaceflight-themed feature films: the 1959 Three Stooges comedy Have Rocket, Will Travel and a year later in 12 to the Moon.

She continued to appear in such television series as GE True, hosted by Jack Webb, until she left Hollywood to follow a career on the stage.