Linda Bennett is a former child actress who is best known for her role as Ginny Townsend, Wally’s dream girl, in the classic sitcom Leave It to Beaver. She appeared in only one episode of the show, but made a lasting impression on the viewers and the cast. In this article, we will explore her life and career, and find out what she is doing now.
Early Life and Career
Linda Bennett was born on December 12, 1946, in Kentucky, USA. She started acting at a young age, and appeared in several movies and TV shows in the 1950s. Some of her notable roles include Penny Walker in Creature with the Atom Brain, Trissa Phillips in Queen Bee, and Madeleine Foy in The Seven Little Foys. She also had a small part in The Big Heat, a film noir starring Glenn Ford and Lee Marvin.
According to IMDb[^1^][1], Linda Bennett was a talented singer and dancer, and performed in musicals such as Anything Goes and The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. She also recorded a song called “You Are the Only One” for the latter show.
Leave It to Beaver
Linda Bennett’s most memorable role was as Ginny Townsend, a beautiful girl who moved to Mayfield and caught the eye of Wally Cleaver, the older brother of the titular character in Leave It to Beaver. The episode, titled “Wally’s Dream Girl”, aired on April 15, 1961, and was the 29th episode of the fourth season.
In the episode, Wally is too shy to talk to Ginny, and is unaware that his mother, June, has invited her to join them on a family picnic. Wally is embarrassed and nervous, but eventually warms up to Ginny, who turns out to be a sweet and friendly girl. However, he also realizes that she is not the perfect girl he imagined, and that he has more in common with his old friend Mary Ellen Rogers.
The episode was well-received by the fans and the critics, and is considered one of the best episodes of the series. According to IMDb[^2^][2], it has a rating of 7.6 out of 10, based on 124 user reviews. Linda Bennett’s performance was praised for being charming and natural, and for creating a believable chemistry with Tony Dow, who played Wally.
What Happened to Linda Bennett?
After her appearance on Leave It to Beaver, Linda Bennett did not act in any more movies or TV shows. She retired from show business and pursued a different career path. According to a fan site[^3^][3], she became a nurse and worked in a hospital in Los Angeles. She also got married and had two children.
Linda Bennett has not given any interviews or made any public appearances since her retirement. She has kept a low profile and stayed away from the spotlight. However, she is still remembered and admired by the fans of Leave It to Beaver, who consider her one of the most beautiful and charming guest stars of the show.