American child star, singer, and dancer who went on to become one of the most notable and famous opera singers of her time. As a child she was known for her golden curls, cherub like features and charismatic nature. Preston was considered to be “one of the most beautiful children ever seen in films.”
She made her screen debut at the age of four after being spotted on the RKO film studio lot and landed her first role as Mrs. Blewett’s Daughter in Anne of Green Gables (1934), and went on to do numerous movies including Christmas in July (1940), Second Chorus (1940) and The Strawberry Blonde (1941), to name a few and guest starring in many Our Gang comedies and movies.
Preston acted, sang and danced her way through the hearts of fans around the world and in a short time found herself signing on with major merchandising contracts and licensing deals using her name and likeness. There were over 50 manufactures for apparel alone which included the then famous June Preston Frocks, Fairytale and Dixie Swirls dresses, handkerchiefs, hats, swimsuits, snowsuits, slips, shoes from toddler to teens. Other manufacturing included the then famous June Preston Doll, toys, coloring books, paint sets, paper cut out dolls magazines, collectors postcards, photo trading cards, selling millions worldwide.
June Preston and Shirley Temple were similar in style. Shirley Temple was one year older than June Preston and in the industry longer but even though they were under contract at separate film studios, they both were often billed together for singing and dancing appearances to publicity autograph events for their own apparel lines and other merchandise.
Preston made her opera debut at the age of 24 with the Metropolitan Opera, “Stars of the Metropolitan Opera” tour in 1952 in the lead role of Mimi in La bohème. Preston favored recitals above all, and was also particularly well known for her concert recitals ranging from Beethoven, Mozart, Brahms to Puccini and Strauss.
She married the famous Belgian-born violinist, Saul Houben, and they had a daughter. Houben died in 1982 at aged 60. Preston then lived with her daughter and son-in-law. In an interview, Preston reflected that “she has no regrets, and would do it all over again exactly the same way”. She died in Montclair, New Jersey on 11 May 2022 from complications of dementia, aged 93.
Link to Wikipedia biography