She left Hollywood to pursue personal and artistic aims, notably at Bennington College in Vermont, where she studied poetry with poet and translator Ben Belitt.

[8] Several famous actresses were tested for the main role in the big-budget film, until the then-unknown Varsi was cast in May 1957.

She was discovered by producer Buddy Adler, who immediately put her under contract at 20th Century Fox.

[9] Before Peyton Place was released, Adler cast Varsi opposite Don Murray in From Hell to Texas (1958).

While filming Ten North Frederick, Varsi suffered a nervous breakdown, collapsed, and was hospitalized.

[13] By walking out of her contract, Varsi's inclusion in plans for several films was cancelled, including a starring role in The Best of Everything (1959).

[11] At some point thereafter, she made her way to New York long enough to successfully audition for the Actors Studio, which she would attend at least briefly in 1965.

[18] In 1970, she was a supporting actress to Shelley Winters in Bloody Mama; Robert DeNiro also appeared in the film as one of Ma Barker's sons.

"[5] Her fellow Fox actors remembered her as "a frightened, birdlike girl who was bewildered by her sudden success" and as "disillusioned by the way certain studio officials treated her".

[19] From November 26, 1956, to August 29, 1958, Varsi was married to James Dickson, whom she made her manager while working as an actress.

[citation needed] On November 19, 1992 in Los Angeles, Varsi died of respiratory failure at the age of 54.