Friday, 14 June 2013 19:21

Carol Morris (USA) Miss Universe 1956. Photo Gallery

Carol Ann Laverne Morris (born October 25, 1936) was Miss USA and Miss Universe in 1956.

Morris was born in Omaha, Nebraska the only child of a minister. The family first moved to Scott City, Kansas where she attended elementary school. After moving to Ottumwa, Iowa Miss Morris attended Ottumwa High School where she graduated 4th in her class of 300. Morris was a champion swimmer and worked as a lifeguard, sang in the church choir and played the violin.
Morris developed into a 5-foot 7-inch (170 cm) young lady, with blue eyes and dark brown almost black hair, 131 pounds (59,4 kg) and 36-25-36-inch (91.5-63.5-91.5) figure. The first beauty pageant she entered and won was the Miss Ottumwa contest. While attending Drake University she entered and won the Miss Iowa beauty contest. Morris then represented Iowa in the Miss America contest in 1954.

Morris won the 1956 Miss USA contest that had 43 contestants and was held in Long Beach, California. She then competed and won against 29 contestants in the Miss Universe beauty pageant, also held in Long Beach.

Carol Morris (USA) Miss Universe 1956 photo

Carol Morris (USA) Miss Universe 1956 picture

Miss Universe 1956 top-15:
top: Rossana Galli (Italy), Erna Marta Bauman (Mexico), Lola Sabogal Marzán (Peru), Hillevi Rombin (Miss Universe 1955), Ingrid Goude (Sweden), Carol Morris (USA), Blanquita Heredia Osío (Venezuela)
middle: Ileana Carré (Argentina), Lucienne Auquier (Belgium), Maria José Cardoso (Brazil), Marcia Rodríguez (Cuba), Iris Alice Kathleen Waller (England), Sara Tal (Israel), Anita Treyens (France)
bottom: Rita Gouma (Greece), Marina Orschel (Germany)

Miss Universe 1956 top-15

Miss Universe 1956 top-3: 2nd runner-up Ingrid Goude (Sweden), Miss Universe Carol Morris (USA) and 1st runner-up Marina Orschel (Germany)

Carol Morris Miss USA 1956 picture

Dave Nelson and Carol Morris

After completing her reign as Miss Universe she began an acting career. One of the awards for winning the Miss Universe title was a one year movie contract. Her first film was Crazy Love with co-star Jeff Chandler. She acted in many films and TV appearances. Morris last role was in Paradise Alley produced in 1962, not to be confused with the more famous 1978 film with the same name.

Miss Universe 1956 winners sign movie contracts. Left to rigth: 1st runner-up Marina Orschel (Miss Germany), 2nd runner-up Ingrid Goude (Miss Sweden), Carol Morris (Miss Universe), Robert Palmer (a studio talent executive)

Miss Universe 1956 winners sign movie contracts

Carol Morris in film Born to Be Loved (1959)

Don Sullivan and Carol Morris in film Paradise Alley (1962)

Morris married in June 1959, at age 23 she wed 45 year old Ed "Buzz" Burke a wealthy Texas oilman from Houston Texas. In April 1960 it was reported that the couple had a baby boy. The couple then had 2 more children. Her husband died and she was then remarried and had one more child. She currently has one granddaughter. As of 2010 she is still living in Texas with her husband.

Carol Morris