Merry Anders (born Mary Helen Anderson; May 22, 1934 – October 28, 2012) was an American actress who appeared in a number of television programs and films from the 1950s until her retirement from the screen in 1972.

[2] While she was a student at John Burroughs Middle School, Anders met former actress Rita Leroy who encouraged her to begin a modeling career.

Shortly after the birth of her daughter in 1956, Anders took over the role of "Rita Marlowe" (popularized by Jayne Mansfield) in the West Coast touring production of the Broadway hit Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?.

In 1957, Anders had a much-publicized leading role in Paramount Pictures film Hear Me Good, opposite Hal March.

[4] She starred in four low-budget films that same year, The Dalton Girls, Calypso Heat Wave, The Night Runner and Escape from San Quentin.

The series was based on the hit 1953 film of the same name (in which Anders appeared in a bit role)[5] starring Betty Grable, Marilyn Monroe, and Lauren Bacall.

Anders went on to land guest roles on Surfside 6, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Hawaiian Eye, Death Valley Days, 77 Sunset Strip, and Perry Mason.

In 1962, Anders was cast in the first English-language live action film adaptation of the 18th century French fairy tale Beauty and the Beast.

[11] Her final acting role was a guest spot in the two-part Gunsmoke episode "Waste", which aired late September and early October 1971.