The daughter of Sam and Minnie Pearl Harris Bynum,[3] Byron was born in Weakley County, Tennessee but lived in Akron, Ohio as a teenager, attending Garfield High School.

Later, she became a model, attracting attention from Hollywood as her picture appeared on magazine covers.

[4] In 1936, Byron received a stock contract from 20th Century Fox,[5] giving her a chance in films.

[7] On radio, Byron portrayed Diane Pers in the soap opera Kate Hopkins, Angel of Mercy.

[8] She also appeared on television in The Untouchables, Richard Diamond, Private Detective, M Squad and others.