The Top 10 Sexist Television Actress of the 60s

Though television did not fully embrace the sexual revolution of the 1960's, shows of the era generally attempted to push the boundaries of censorship set forth in the previous era. This push ushered in an era of television shows which often showcased the sex appeal of actresses in many a television sitcom or drama. Here then is my list of the top 10 sexiest television actress of the 1960's.

Barbara Eden (Jeanie), I Dream of Jeanie (1964-1970)

Censors in the 1960's had their hands full with "I Dream of Jeanie" a show which started the vivacious Barbara Eden (a former Miss San Francisco) as a mischievous blonde pony tailed genie with a very revealing (for that era) costume. Though great measures were taken to ensure that the custom did not reveal Eden's navel, occasionally a scene did get through where Eden's custom did slip below the waistline. Though the show was mildly successful for NBC during its initial run, it would later become a huge hit in syndication making Eden's character an endearing part of TV history. A gallery of Eden's pictures can be found at http://www.fanpix.net/gallery/barbara-eden-pictures.htm.

Julie Newmar (Catwoman), Batman (1966-67) and My Living Doll (1965-66)

Though she played a sexy Amazon-type female robot in "My Living Doll" during the 60's, it was her role as the villainess Catwoman in "Batman" that earned Julie Newmar her iconic status in television history. In a 2010 New York Times article, Newmar is quoted as saying that to this day men will stop her on the street to tell her what a turn on her Catwoman character was to them. A gallery of Newmar's pictures can be found at http://www.julienewmar.com/glamour_photos.php.

Goldie Hawn, Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (1968-1973)

The "It girl" of the 60's, Goldie Hawn often played a stereotypical ditzy blonde character on the show "Laugh-In." Armed with a sunshine personality and a sense of humor, Goldie would become equally known for wearing body paint and a bikini on the show. Hawn would close out the decade with an Academy Award for her role in "Cactus Flower" (1969). A gallery of Goldie Hawn pictures can be found at http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000443/mediaindex.

Elizabeth Montgomery (Samantha Stephens), Bewitched (1964-1972)

In the 60's, Elizabeth Montgomery enjoyed tremendous success playing the spunky, lovable witch Samantha Stephens in "Bewitched". During a run which lasted 8 seasons and 254 episodes, the blonde witch with the twitchy nose earned five Emmy Award nominations. Few could argue that a good portion of that success can be attributed to Montgomery's fresh scrubbed good looks and charm. A gallery of Montgomery's picture can be found at http://www.bobsbewitchingdaughter.com/EMphotos.html.

Eartha Kitt (Catwoman), Batman (1968)

Taking over for Newmar during the final season of "Batman," Eartha Kitt brought her own brand of sexiness to the role. Though 41 when she slipped into the skin tight cat suit, Kitt nevertheless thrived in the role. A talented singer and as well as Broadway actress prior to days as Catwoman, Kitt's beauty (as well as talent), landed her the role of Helen of Troy in Orson Wells production of "Dr. Faust." A gallery of Kitt's pictures can be found at http://www.fanpix.net/gallery/eartha-kitt-pictures.htm

Marta Kristen (Judy Robinson), Lost in Space (1965-68)

Best known for her role as Judy Robinson in the television sitcom, "Lost in Space," Norwegian born Marta Kristen brought to the role a stylish beauty that lent itself well to the adult form fitting futuristic fashion of the show. Prior to the series, her good looks grabbed the attention of the producers of the movie "Lolita," who wanted Kristen for the lead role, a role she would eventually turned down. A gallery of Kristen's pictures can be found at http://www.martakristen.com/marta/gallery/

Yvonne Craig (Barbara Gordon/Batgirl), Batman (1968)

Brought in as Batgirl to prop up the last season of "Batman," Yvonne Craig has often been praised as a pioneer of heroine roles in television. Originally trained as a ballet dancer, the busty star's high kicks accented many a fight scene in the television series. Besides her role in the iconic series, Craig can also been seen as the Orion slave girl Martha in the "Star Trek" episode of "Whom God's Destroy," first aired in 1969. A gallery of Craig's pictures can be found at http://www.triviatribute.com/yvonnecraig.html

Tina Louise (Ginger Grant), Gillian's Island (1964-1967)

Filling in on a role turn down by blonde bomb shell Jayne Mansfield, Tina Louise's name became synonymous with the Ginger Grant character she played in Gillian's Island. Famous for her clashes with the shows producers and absent from the cast of the made for television movies that followed, Louise is nevertheless known for campy sexiness she brought to the show. A gallery of Louise's pictures can be found at http://www.fanpix.net/gallery/tina-louise-pictures.htm

Dawn Wells (Mary Ann Summers), Gilligan's Island (1964-67)

A former Miss Nevada, Dawn Wells brought a girl next door beauty to her role as Mary Ann Summer in Gilligan's Island. So popular was the character that it was Wells and not the sexy Tina Louise who received the most fan mail on the show. What's more, the original gingham blouse and shorts that she wore on the show fetched more than $20,000 in a 2005 auction. A gallery of Wells' pictures can be found http://www.icelebz.com/celebs/dawn_wells/gallery4.html

Donna Douglas (Elly May Clampett), The Beverly Hillbillies (1962-1971)

A model and winner of several beauty pageant before landing a role in the long running series, "The Beverly Hillbillies, Donna Douglas made a career out of portraying the busty, blue-eyed, naïve tomboy, Elly May Clampett. A gallery of Douglas' pictures can be found http://www.allstarpics.net/pic-gallery/donna-douglas-pics.htm

"Get Smart," Barbara Feldon

"Petticoat Junction" -Gunilla Hutton, Lori Saunders, , Linda Henning, Meredith MacRae

"Dick Van Dyke Show," Mary Tyler Moore

"Gomer Pyle USMC" -Elizabette MacRae

"Mission Impossible" - Barabar Bain

"The Mod Squad" -Peggy Linton

"Green Acres" -Eva Gabor

"Star Trek," -Nichelle Nichols

Sources:

http://www.julienewmar.com/

http://www.earthakitt.com/

http://www.martakristen.com/

http://www.gilligansisle.com/interdawn.html

http://www.bobsbewitchingdaughter.com

http://www.donnadouglas.info/

http://yvonnecraig.com/

http://www.triviatribute.com/yvonnecraig.html