- Penny Singleton, Blondie, 1938. Joan Blondell’s kid sister (first wife of future 007 producer Cubby Broccoli) was first choice for Dagwood’s wife when Chic Young’s comic-stri p couple moved to the movies. Next came Una Merkel, then Shirley Deane and finally, well, long story… The leading lady in Sea Racketeers, 1937, was known as Toots. But two two guys kept calling her Blondie. She was played by Dorothy NcNulty, who became Penny Singleton, who became Blondie Bumstead in 28 films over 12 years. The comic-strip, now by Dean Young and John Marshall, remains alive and well today.
Birth year: 1915Death year: 1986Other name: Casting Calls: 1