Melinda Ann Plowman (born May 13, 1941), also known as Melinda Ann Casey and Melinda Casey, is an American actress and associate director. She began her acting career at age 6 and appeared in feature films and television episodes through the 1960s. In the 1970s, she became a member of the Directors Guild of America and worked as an associate director through the 1990s.
Early life
Melinda Ann Plowman was born on May 13, 1941, in Abilene, Texas.[1] Her parents, Homer Lee Plowman and Lura Frances Slaughter, had met and married in Abilene in 1934.[2] She has one younger sister.[3] Her second birthday party, hosted by her mother and grandmother, was reported in the Abilene Reporter-News.[4]
The family moved to Los Angeles in 1942.[5] Plowman was enrolled in a dance school at age 3.[5] She was "discovered" at the age of 6 through the dancing school and was cast in a bit part in the 1949 film Little Women.[5]
Her parents preferred to maintain her status as a freelance actor rather than a studio contract player.[3] Her mother accompanied her on the set.[3] When she wasn't working, Plowman attended a public elementary school and, later, San Marino High School in San Marino, California.[5] During film shoots, she had a private tutor on the set.[3][5]
In the 1970s, she joined the Directors Guild of America, listing herself as an associate director under the name Melinda Ann Casey.[10] She continued working on film crews through the 1990s.
Personal life
Plowman married Phil Casey, a talent manager, in Las Vegas in August 1967.[11] They had one son.[2] Plowman later married Robert Ballew, with whom she has a daughter.[2] In 1971, her parents moved back to Fort Worth.[2] She lives in Victoria, British Columbia.[2]
^"Wagon Train". TV Guide. 2020. Archived from the original on March 27, 2018. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
^Kelleher, Brian; Merrill, Diana (1998). "Episode Guide – The Sixth Season". The Perry Mason TV Show Book. Archived from the original on July 10, 2010. Retrieved September 1, 2010.