Born Lillie Charlene Gentle in Montgomery, Alabama,[1] she later changed the spelling of her first name to "Lili".
In 1956, she had bit parts in Teenage Rebel and The Girl Can't Help It, starring Jayne Mansfield.
In 1957, she earned a supporting role opposite Mansfield in Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?.
[2] She frequently acted on television in shows such as The 20th Century Fox Hour (1956); Matinee Theatre (1957); and Playhouse 90 (1957).
In 1958, just before her 18th birthday, she married future film producer Richard D. Zanuck, then 23 years old, who was then employed in the 20th Century-Fox story department.