She attended Hunter College, where her performance as Ophelia in the dramatic club's production of Hamlet led to her receiving a scholarship to New York University (NYU) if she would act with the Washington Square Players, which she did.

[8] After she became regularly employed in radio, she received a contract to star in a film, but the producer found another actress whom he preferred for the role.

Her career gained stability, however, when a radio director saw her perform on Broadway in a Theater Guild production of Ringside Seat.

[11] Her other roles on radio included Marjorie Whitney on The Romance of Helen Trent,[10] Rose Kransky on Guiding Light,[6] Patsy Bowen on Nick Carter, Master Detective[8] and Dr. Carson McVicker on Road of Life.

The manufacturer of the products she endorsed paid six secretaries to write letters answering beauty questions that listeners addressed to the fictitious Douglas.

Her brace was removed on February 15, 1959, and her doctors at the Hospital for Joint Diseases in Manhattan described her recovery as a "medical miracle".