Eugenia Paul (born Eugenia Popoff; March 3, 1935 – May 24, 2010) was an American actress and dancer best known for her role as Elena Torres in the television series Zorro, which aired on the American television network ABC.[1][2]
Early years
Paul was born Eugenia Popoff in Dearborn, Michigan, of Russian heritage.[1][3] Her parents were Mr. and Mrs. Frederick K. Popoff.[4] Her father was an employee of Ford Motor Company; her mother, Monica, taught piano and violin after having been a concert violinist. She had one older brother and two younger brothers.[5]
Paul initially wanted to be a ballet dancer. When she was 14 years old, she was invited to join the Ballet Theater company, but her mother preferred to have her continue her education.[5]
Career
Paul signed as a dancer with Warner Bros. when she was just 17 years old, while participating on a tour with the American Ballet Theatre and the Ballet Sketchbook television show. Paul danced in lead roles on screen. She also studied ballet with Bronislava Nijinska and drama and acting under Michael Chekhov. Paul departed Warner Bros. and signed with 20th Century Fox as an actor in 1955.[1]
Paul's television debut occurred in 1954 in an episode of Cavalcade of America.[5] Her other television credits included Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Medic, The Lone Ranger, Death Valley Days, The Adventures of Jim Bowie and the Playhouse 90 adaptation of The Great Gatsby and Sky King).[1][2]
Paul's film credits including Lost in Alaska, Man on the Prowl, Apache Warrior and The Ten Commandments.[1] Her last feature film role was in the western Gunfighters of Abilene in 1960.[1]
Private life
Paul met her husband, Pep Boys heir Robert Strauss, at a Hollywood Bowl party. The couple married and Paul quit professional show business soon after her marriage. They remained married for 52 years, until her death in 2010.[1]
Death
Paul died of complications of edema[6] on May 24, 2010, at Good Samaritan Medical Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, at the age of 75.[2]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | Jivaro | Native Bit | |
| 1954 | The Adventures of Hajji Baba | Shireen | Uncredited |
| 1956 | Alfred Hitchcock Presents | Dolores Dawn | Season 1 Episode 36: "Mink" |
| 1956 | Alfred Hitchcock Presents | Viola | Season 2 Episode 7: "Alibi Me" |
| 1956 | The Revolt of Mamie Stover | Minor Role | Uncredited |
| 1956 | Bigger Than Life | Saleslady | Uncredited |
| 1956 | The Ten Commandments | Hebrew Girl at Sphinx | Uncredited |
| 1957 | Apache Warrior | Liwana | |
| 1957 | The Disembodied | Mara, wife of Suba | |
| 1957 | Man on the Prowl | Dorothy Pierce | |
| 1959 | Frontier Doctor | Juanita | Episode: "Superstition Mountain" |
| 1959 | Gunfighters of Abilene | Raquel Torena | (final film role) |
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Dore, Shalini (June 1, 2010). "Dancer-thesp Strauss dies, 'Mask of Zorro' star was 75". Variety. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- 1 2 3 Moody, Mike (2010-05-31). "Actress Eugenia Paul dies, aged 75". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2010-06-11.
- ↑ Biography
- ↑ "Eugenia Paul Weds Robert P. Strauss At Afternoon Rite". Valley Times. December 4, 1958. p. 27. Retrieved March 15, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 3 "Zorro's Girl Is From Dearborn". Detroit Free Press. December 8, 1957. p. 6 TV. Retrieved March 15, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Downey, Sally A. (June 7, 2010). "Eugenia Strauss, screen actress and arts patron". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 20. Retrieved September 27, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.