Remember Joey Heatherton?

Boy, I sure do! Back in the late 1960s and early '70s, when I was in high school, Joey Heatherton was everywhere! She'd show up on the Dean Martin TV show, every talk show on the planet, and even on Bob Hope tours for the troops in Vietnam. She did Serta mattress commercials and, as I recall, commercials for RC Cola. I remember she even starred in one of those "Happy Hooker" movies they made 30 years or so ago. And Joey was always hot, hot, hot. Heck, a few of us used to talk about her in gym alla the time.

Anyway, while browsing the internet this afternoon, I came across a "whatever happened to?" about Joey and started following links. It seems nobody really knows what she's been up to for the past umpteen years. She had cocaine problems, of course, as all celebrities did in the '70s and '80s. She had a bad marriage or three -- including one to a football star -- nothing new for Hollywood. But now 63 years old, Joey's dropped off the radar.

I have found some interesting shots of Joey, though, including the extremely sexy cover shot from her 1972 LP (never even knew she recorded one) and another one I'd guess comes from the past few years.

But, hey, if you're out there, Joey, and you happen to be a reader of The Sudden Curve, drop us a line and let us know how you're doing, wouldja? We'd love to hear from you!

Posted by Wally Conger, who had a serious Mr. Jones for Miss Heatherton many, many years ago.

Comments

[william]

joey had the guts to do what most sexy women want to do more than anything in the world: tease, dance, and show their legs as much as possible 24/7. Shr was a great jazz singer in her own right, but her best gift to man was her spectacularly sexy legs and unabashed desire to show them off. Joey will forever be a hero and a role model for all beautiful girls who really want to tease, but are too shy or afraid they won't be taken as a serious artist. I also am an artist, not a dancer, but I know what it's like not to be taken seriously just because you are gorgeous. Joey should be admired and respected forever for her steady commitment to her art of very sexy dancing and singing. Write to [email protected].

[Lynne]

She was a vey beautful woman, she still is, everyone gets old, it doesn't matter, she will always be beautiful.

[Moni]

Joey brings back fond memories of her vivacious and sensual dancce and singing style which has remained unparalleled! Her supple and skilled style of dance was supported with rigorous and dedicated dance training.

I am holding on to my vivid impressions of her great talent-these are lasting memories not easily forgotten.

We that remember, will always love you Joey!!

[Edmund]

Joey Heatherton should be commended for entertaining our troops during the Vietnam conflict. Not only is she an extremely talented and beautiful lady, she is patriotic which is a hell of alot more than we can say for our present crop of Hollywood entertainers!

[gib cronic]

A quick THANK YOU for all you did for those of us who were in VietNam. Although I am 100% disabled now, the memories you gave when you were there with Bob Hope will always remain cherishing and still comforting to me.
You have been Blessed,
Retired SSgt Gib Cronic

[Ron Murray]

I'm a Vietnam Veteran who had the honor of meeting Miss Heatherton when she and Bob Hope toured Vietnam in 1966.
The only thing I have to remember the beauty of that place is the memory of her and I dancing on stage. I don't remember if she or one of the crew invited some of us up on stage, but I do remember I was the first one. She is still the most beautiful woman I have ever laid my eyes on. When I first came back I kept away from anything that reminded me of Vietnam. But then later I started to think about it and when I did, I always wondered what became of her.

God Bless You Joey, for just one moment you helped a soldier remember the beauty in life.

Ron Murray
Lakeland, Florida

[bill b, from st. agnes h.s, 1957-1961]

i went to high school with joey. she was called davy jo then. she was born davenie jo heatherton. she was in a play in school - st. agnes h.s. in rockville centre, ny - and danced beautifully. she is the best dancer i've ever seen. i walked past her in h.s. once, and thought then that she would go to hollywood. and so she did. she really had to. her father, ray heatherton, had been the merry mailman on tv. and her mother had been the director of our plays at st. agnes. i was in 2 school plays herseld; but not with joey ... or davy jo. i thank joey heatherton for her dancing in h.s., and for her work on tv and movies.

[Joseph S. Haas]

Here's an audio of Joey and her Dad: Ray Heatherton:

http://www.tvparty.com/variety2.html

"Joey and Dad (Joey Heatherton and her father Ray 'Merry Mailman' Heatherton) say goodnight from their pleasant 1975 summer variety show in this clip." (audio clip that is, of about 30 seconds).

- - Joe e-mail: JosephSHaas at hotmail dot com

P.S. He was an interesting man: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Heatherton just read of:

"In late 1955, Ray Heatherton fell victim to one of the excesses of the Cold War era. Along with the guilty, a number of innocent performers were accused of Communist affiliations and lost their careers. Unfounded public accusations of that nature were aimed at Heatherton by an individual* from Upstate New York, resulting in the loss of sponsors and bad publicity for the station. WOR executives accepted Heatherton's word that the allegations were false and tried to keep The Merry Mailman on the air as a station-sustained program. It was not enough, however, and The Merry Mailman broadcast its final show on Friday, June 22, 1956."

Does anybody know WHO this * individual was?

footnote: she's not listed with an address over at: http://www.startiger.com

Plus I saw her 2-part episode of "I Spy" last Fall that repeated on RTV this Winter and just yesterday of her with long hair! as "Karen Emerson" the daughter of "Gerald Emerson" played by E.G. Marshall (1914-77) (84) on RTV Ch. 20 here out of Boston 4-5:00 p.m. (weekdays?) of Route 66, the "Three Sides" Episode #1.7 of 18Nov.1960 : the year my younger brother was born, of me too liking to see her perform on Dean Martin, when me not watching Christopher George's "The Immortal" with co-star Carol Lynley, another blonde Thursday nights, and on Bob Hope's USO Tours. Me with a signed photo from both Carol and Bob, and hoping that Joey writes for my address to send one too. (;-)