Doe Avedon Dead: Model, Actress and 'Funny Face' Inspiration Dies at 86

When the story of Dorcas Nowell -- and her rise from the New York office manager within the nineteen forties to some famous fashion model and celebrity -- seems like a Hollywood production, like it really was: Dorcas, a component-time model, caught the attention of famous fashion digital photographer Richard Avedon, transformed her title to Doe Avedon after marriage, as well as their whirlwind romance ended up being the foundation of 'Funny Face,' the 1957 film with Katherine Hepburn and Fred Astaire. Doe Avedon died on Sunday at age 86, following complications from pneumonia. Doe and Richard were only married for 5 years, but which was sufficient time on her to change into an actress on stage, film and tv. Additionally to some recurring role within the nineteen fifties television series 'Big Town,' Avedon also made an appearance in 'The High and also the Mighty' opposite John Wayne, in addition to 'Love Streams' for director John Cassavetes. For 'Funny Face,' her friend Leonard Gershe authored the 1957 film musical, which told the storyline of the famous fashion digital photographer named Dick Avery (Astaire), who falls deeply in love with a Greenwich Village bookshop salesgirl (Hepburn) and turns her right into a world-famous fashion model. (Before meeting Richard, Doe works at work jobs since it gave her additional time to see.) Directed by Stanley Donen ('Singin' within the Rain'), 'Funny Face' was really also modified from Gershe's less effective musical, 'Wedding Alarms.' Even today, it possibly remains most legendary for the scene where Katherine Hepburn dances, that was later co-elected for any Gap commercial in 2006. Doe Avedon is made it by four children, all from her marriage to director Don Siegel ('Dirty Harry'), a stepson, seven grandchildren, five great grandchildren and her longtime companion, actor Michael Lisco. [via NYT, THR] [Photo: Everett] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook