On Friday Sept. 14th, former sex symbol Joey Heatherton turns 63 years old. If you were born after the Jimmy Carter administration and are a sports fan you might be saying, "Joey Heatherton... didn't he used to be the quarterback for the Detroit Lions"? Of course the answer to that is no. From the mid 1960s through the late 1970s, Joey Heatherton was a household name (similar to another performer who celebrated a birthday earlier this month, Lola Falana). In addition to her films, Joey did scores of appearances on TV, had a recording career, and toured with Bob Hope on his USO tours. Unfortunately, just like Ms. Falana, Joey Heatherton seemed to drop off the face of the earth.This past Sunday morning, I was watching a movie on TCM called Where Love Has Gone. It is believed that this movie was based on the Lana Turner/Johnny Stompanato murder case. Along with Joey, the movie featured Susan Hayward, Bette Davis, and Mike Connors. While watching the film, this led me to try to find out whatever happened to Joey because I hadn't thought about her in years. The last time I remember seeing Joey in the news was for a drug-related story about 10 years ago. In addition to her bouts with drug abuse, Joey also suffered from an eating disorder. According to imdb.com, her most recent film appearance was in 2002. As for her current whereabouts & health, I was unable to find any information. If you want a 4-minute video summary of Joey's life and career, check out the 2004 song by Jill Sobule called Joey.
During the 1970s, Joey was a celebrity spokeswoman for the Serta Perfect Sleeper mattress. Below is a 1972 commercial that she did for the product. Dig Joey's bell-bottomed jumpsuit and groovy dance moves!
16 comments:
This commercial is hilarious!!! I don't know if they play all over the country, but my son loves the Mattress Giant commercial. Oooh, aaaah, oooooh, aaaaah, only at Mattress Giant, ooooh, aaaaah. I sure hope they do or everyone might think I'm crazy....Also, I've given you an award. Come take a peek!
Man, you are coming up with people I haven't thought of in years. Joey Heatherton was one of the "it" girls back in the 60's and 70's. I think I remember her father being someone who was famous too if I am not mistaken.
Those are totally groovy moves! I remember my mom dancing like that. She had a pretty psychedelic pantsuit to go with her boogaloo, come to think of it.
Mama PJ: I am hooked on this Serta commercial now. I showed it to a friend at work to help alleviate the job-related stress she was feeling...I think it worked.
I don't think the Mattress Giant commercial airs in my area... at least I haven't seen it. Also, thanks again for the award.
Pjazzy: That's one thing I have enjoyed about doing this blog... talking about performers, TV shows, movies, etc. that have fallen off the pop culture map. You are right... Joey's father was Ray Heatherton. He hosted several TV series (mainly on New York superstation WOR) from the 1950s through the mid 1980s.
Julia: Joey was a bundle of energy in those ads wasn't she? I don't know if you saw them, but once the Serta commercial ends there are some related videos that you can watch (the icons show up at the bottom of the You Tube screen). Two of the icons are for parts 1 and 2 of a behind the scenes documentary about the making of the Serta commercials starring Joey. It's amazing what you can find on You Tube!
Joey Heatherton really was gorgeous! I remember during the 70's, when my sister was a huge Dallas Cowboy fan, she was married to Dallas Cowboy Lance Rentzel...who ended up having some major troubles of his own.
I hope her life has some peace now...
Joey Heatherton was perhaps the most talented star of the 60's and 70's who brought great pleasure to so many people with her amazing singing, dancing and acting. I only wish she would emerge again so that her thousands of fans could let her know how much she is still loved. There is a video on Youtube ("Joey Heatherton Exclusive" that I would like to share with all of her devoted fans. I still love you Joey.
Jimmy Wilde: Thanks for stopping by to comment on Joey. I had heard that she has fallen on hard times. Since that was back in the 90s, I'm not sure if she has rebounded or not.
I checked out the "Joey Heatherton Exclusive" that you posted. Well done tribute I must say... thanks for sharing.
WHere is Joey Heatherton? I have been trying to re unite with her for 10 years now and haave tired everything...Still, no luck. Comon, somebody must have a clue. She needs to know how loved she still is.
Jimmy Wilde
WHere is Joey Heatherton? Someone must be able to find her. I have tried for 10 years now and no luck.
Jimmy Wilde
I, too, as a chubby teenager admired Joey's silky, sexy, totally effortless dancing and killer looks. She was, for so many of us, the 'perfect doll' we might aspire to be, but never actually could BECOME, who charmed all the guys with nary an exquisite gold hair out of place. Little did any of us know back then what dreadful troubles awaited poor Joey. And I too, have been curious about her present day situation - this lovely young lady, with everything going for her, and demons (inner and real-life) waiting in the wings. Here's a strange incident: I was thumbing through a glossy fashion magazine (Vogue?) some months ago; and there, on one of the black and white pages I saw a blonde model, with the last name Heatherton. She was a dead ringer for Joey. It really gave me pause. I felt a pang in my heart and wondered if this was someone who simply looked like her, or was perhaps a niece or relative? It felt in that moment as if the clock had moved back forty years. Wherever you are, dear Joey, some of us do remember you... and wish you well....Be blessed.
Tomato Gal: Thanks for stopping by. The fast paced nature of pop culture can be a funny thing. During the 60s and 70s Joey was a household name, but people under the age of 35 probably have no idea who she is.
I did a Google search and found a model named Erin Heatherton. That must be the model you saw in a magazine some months ago. Her birth last name is Bubley so she's no relation to Joey. However, I wonder if she changed her last name as a tribute to Joey. I couldn't find any info confirming if this was true.
Hey all you Joey Heatherton fans. Just wanted to update all of you on my search for Joey. In case you are not familiar with my search, I was Joey's first boyfriend. We met at a Knights of Columbus dance in baldwin long Island NY in 1958 when Joey was just 13 and i was only 16. We hit it off and became very close for about 30 years. I was with her through thick and thin..and stood by her during here tumultuous fall from fame and fortune. I have been trying to reunite with Joey for many years byt postinig my Youtube videos dedicated to her. They are filled with many of my personal photos of me and Joey. BTW, I also went by the name of Jimmy Wilde when I was a recording artist in the very early 60's. Well, I thought you would all like to know that i FOUND JOEY!..Through some miracle, I contacted someone who posted a youtube video and I recognized a mutual friend of Joey's and Mine. When i called him, to my amazement, he had just been with Joey 3 nights earlier. I asked hm to please let Joey know I was trying to re unite with her after not seeing her for 25 years. Unfortunately, she did not want to talk to me because she was upset with me because she had read that I was writing and unauthorized biography of her life. Anyway, she is alive and dong Ok I am told. Living alone in Hollywood. I told our mutual friend to tell Joey that I love her and that she has SO MANY loyal and loving fans to this day. And, I will be making my 3rd Happy Birthday Joey video for Youtube soon. Thanks for lending me your ears. Jimmy Wilde
Jimmy: Thanks for sharing your story. I am glad to hear that Joey is reported to be doing OK. I wonder if she knows how many fans she still has.
Yesterday, Liz Smith mentioned Joey Heatherton in her column and there's a website you may want to check out http://www.missjoeyheatherton.com
Joey's pretty awesome and here's a link to a new YouTube Tribute
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsRehzoH5Ak
Joey Heatherton - what a talent! Any doubt? Check this out.
http://www.missjoeyheatherton.com
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