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Millie Perkins (born May 12, 1938) is an American film and television actress perhaps best known for her debut film role as Anne Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank. Born in Passaic, New Jersey, Millie grew up in Fair Lawn, New Jersey. Her father was a merchant marine captain. Perkins was working as a receptionist at a New York City advertising agency when she caught the eye of a visiting photographer with a resultant career as a model; by 1958 Perkins was an international cover girl. However, in 1958, she was vigorously pursued, and then selected, to appear in her first film, in the title... MORE

Millie Perkins (born May 12, 1938) is an American film and television actress perhaps best known for her debut film role as Anne Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank. Born in Passaic, New Jersey, Millie grew up in Fair Lawn, New Jersey. Her father was a merchant marine captain. Perkins was working as a receptionist at a New York City advertising agency when she caught the eye of a visiting photographer with a resultant career as a model; by 1958 Perkins was an international cover girl. However, in 1958, she was vigorously pursued, and then selected, to appear in her first film, in the title role of The Diary of Anne Frank. Perkins had never studied nor sought to be an actress, but George Stevens saw her on the cover of several magazines and tried to convince her to read for the part. Finally, she flew to Hollywood for a screen test and, with much fanfare, landed the role of Anne Frank in George Stevens' 1959 film "The Diary of Anne Frank." Perkins received almost universally excellent reviews for her portrayal of Anne although the film was a notorious commercial flop. After her work with George Stevens, Perkins was placed under contract to 20th Century Fox. She was one of the promising LESS