Rosemary LaPlanche

LaPlanche moved to southern California from Kansas with her mother and sister, Louise LaPlanche, at a very early age.^[4]

LaPlanche, who lived in Los Angeles, California, was Miss California in 1939, 1940 and 1941.^[5]

She was a finalist in 1939 and runner-up to Miss America in 1940.^[3] A new rule after her victory disallowed contestants from competing at the national level more than once.^[6]

LaPlanche became an actress, signing with RKO after she won the Miss America title.^[7] She appeared in films such as Angels' Alley and in episodes of television programs like The Donna Reed Show. She and her husband had a daily TV program, the Harry Koplan-Rosemary LaPlanche Show, on KHJ in Hollywood.^[8]

LaPlanche also worked as a model^[9]

In the 1960s, LaPlanche acted on a long-time interest and began to paint. She began by buying a book on art and a set of paints, and she later took lessons. She described her work as "impressionistic — just this side of realistic".^[10] Subjects of her works included birds, deserts, flowers, seashores, sheep, and people. In 1969, her paintings sold for prices ranging from $35 to $600,.^[10]

She was married to Harry Koplan from 1947 until his death in 1973, and had two children: a daughter Carol and son Terry. She died from cancer in 1979, aged 55.^[11] She is interred in San Fernando Mission Cemetery.^[12]