Susan Cabot

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Cabot was raised in a series of eight foster homes. She attended high school in Manhattan, where she joined the school dramatic club. She later illustrated children's books during the day and sang at Manhattan's Village Barn at night. Her film debut came as an extra in Kiss of Death (1947). While performing at the Village Barn, she was spotted by a Columbia Pictures casting director, leading to a co-starring role in On the Isle of Samoa (1950). She then signed with Universal, appearing opposite leading men like John Lund, Tony Curtis, and Audie Murphy. Disillusioned with repetitive western and Arabian Nights roles, she asked for a release from her contract and starred in Harold Robbins's play "A Stone for Danny Fisher." Roger Corman persuaded her to return to Hollywood for Carnival Rock (1957), and she appeared in five more of his films.

Cabot's personal life drew significant attention. She had a seven-year affair with King Hussein of Jordan, a relationship the CIA was aware of; their son, Timothy Scott, was born out of wedlock in 1964. She received monthly support from Hussein. In 1968, she married Michael Roman, with whom she raised Timothy, divorcing in 1983. Cabot died on December 10, 1986, at age 59. Her son confessed to killing her with a weightlifting barbell. A declassified 2018 memo revealed that the CIA had invited Cabot to a party with King Hussein, hoping she would "go to bed with him," but she found him charming without necessarily pursuing that goal.