Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Abbott acted in Little Theater productions to gain experience before she ventured into films.

In Las Vegas, she was a showgirl at the Flamingo Hotel and was known as "the girl with the golden arm".

She also appeared in guest roles on The Ford Television Theatre, Leave It to Beaver, and Dragnet as Sergeant Joe Friday's girlfriend, Ann Baker.

[3] Depressed about the end of her marriage to police officer and actor Rudy Diaz, Abbott committed suicide in Los Angeles on December 15, 1968, the day before her 48th birthday.

[2] Abbott is buried under her married name of Dorothy Diaz in Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, California.