Beverly Washburn (born November 25, 1943) is an American actress. She is best known for her roles in the Walt Disney drama Old Yeller (1957) and the American General Pictures horror Spider Baby (1967).
Washburn was born in Los Angeles, California, on November 25, 1943,[1] the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Washburn of Hollywood.[2] She is the aunt of actress Darlene Tompkins,[1] as well as the sister of actress Audrey Allen.[3]
Washburn began her career as a child actor, when she was 3 years old,[2] appearing in The Killer That Stalked New York (1950) and Frank Capra's Here Comes the Groom (1951). Her subsequent film credits included a supporting role in the Walt Disney feature Old Yeller (1957),[4] for which she is the last surviving cast member of the film.[5] By age 16, she had appeared in 10 films and more than 500 television programs.[2]
On television, Washburn portrayed Kathryn "Kit" Wilson, on Professional Father,[6] Shirley Mitchell on Gidget,[7] and Vickie Massey on The New Loretta Young Show.[7]: 756 She was also seen regularly on A Letter to Loretta[7]: 597 and The Loretta Young Theater.[7]: 623
Washburn is the author of Reel Tears: The Beverly Washburn Story, Take Two, which BearManor Media re-released in 2013.[8]