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IMDbPro

Joy Harmon(1938-2026)

  • Actress
  • Additional Crew
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
Joy Harmon
Born in Flushing, New York, the impressively endowed Patty Jo Harmon was discovered as a guest on You Bet Your Life (1950) by Groucho Marx and later was invited to work with him on Tell It to Groucho (1961). The TV exposure parlayed into roles in such obscure films as Village of the Giants (1965) and more famous fare like Cool Hand Luke (1967), but she was used mostly for eye candy. With only a handful of television appearances to her name, she made a bigger career as a pin-up girl during the late 1960s and early 1970s, but she ultimately retired from acting to get married and start a family. Baking has always been a favorite pastime and she since started Aunt Joy's Cakes. She first started sharing her treats while working at Disney Studios and runs a wholesale bakery based in Burbank, California.
BornMay 1, 1938
DiedApril 14, 2026(87)
BornMay 1, 1938
DiedApril 14, 2026(87)
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank

Photos14

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Known for

Paul Newman in Cool Hand Luke (1967)
Cool Hand Luke
8.0
  • The Girl
  • 1967
Village of the Giants (1965)
Village of the Giants
3.8
  • Merrie
  • 1965
Joy Harmon in One Way Wahine (1965)
One Way Wahine
5.4
  • Kit Williams
  • 1965
Burke's Law (1963)
Burke's Law
7.4
TV Series
  • Belle Sue Walsh
  • Barbara Sue

Credits

IMDbPro

Actress



  • Thicker Than Water
    7.7
    TV Series
    • Girl
    • 1973
  • Jack Klugman and Tony Randall in The Odd Couple (1970)
    The Odd Couple
    7.9
    TV Series
    • Waitress
    • 1972
  • Stuart Margolin and Julie Newmar in Love, American Style (1969)
    Love, American Style
    6.8
    TV Series
    • Rosalie (segment "Love and the Secret Habit")
    • 1972
  • Glen Campbell, Kim Darby, Meredith MacRae, and Joe Namath in Norwood (1970)
    Norwood
    5.3
    • Waitress (uncredited)
    • 1970
  • Angel in My Pocket (1969)
    Angel in My Pocket
    7.1
    • Miss Holland
    • 1969
  • Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork, and The Monkees in The Monkees (1965)
    The Monkees
    7.5
    TV Series
    • Cashier
    • Zelda
    • 1967
  • Paul Newman in Cool Hand Luke (1967)
    Cool Hand Luke
    8.0
    • The Girl
    • 1967
  • Ben Gazzara in Run for Your Life (1965)
    Run for Your Life
    7.6
    TV Series
    • Nancy
    • 1967
  • That Girl (1966)
    That Girl
    7.3
    TV Series
    • Miss Bridges
    • 1967
  • A Guide for the Married Man (1967)
    A Guide for the Married Man
    6.6
    • Party Girl in Bar (uncredited)
    • 1967
  • Hey, Landlord (1966)
    Hey, Landlord
    7.1
    TV Series
    • Sheila
    • 1966
  • Occasional Wife (1966)
    Occasional Wife
    7.3
    TV Series
    • Model
    • 1966
  • The Rounders (1966)
    The Rounders
    6.4
    TV Series
    • Rosetta
    • 1966
  • Elizabeth Montgomery, Agnes Moorehead, and Dick York in Bewitched (1964)
    Bewitched
    7.6
    TV Series
    • Francie
    • 1966
  • Jim Nabors and Frank Sutton in Gomer Pyle: USMC (1964)
    Gomer Pyle: USMC
    7.0
    TV Series
    • Barbara
    • 1966

Additional Crew



  • Larry Drake in Dr. Giggles (1992)
    Dr. Giggles
    5.4
    • adr voice
    • 1992

Personal details

  • Official site
    • Aunt Joy's Cakes
  • Alternative names
    • Joy Harman
  • Height
    • 5′ 5″ (1.65 m)
  • Born
    • May 1, 1938
    • Flushing, Queens, New York City, New York, USA
  • Died
    • April 14, 2026
    • Los Angeles, California, USA(Undisclosed)
  • Spouse
    • Jeff Gourson1968 - July 25, 2001 (divorced, 3 children)
  • Children
      Jamie Gourson
  • Other works
    Stage: Appeared (as "Betty Phillips") in "Make a Million" on Broadway.
  • Publicity listings
    • 1 Article
    • 1 Pictorial
    • 1 Magazine Cover Photo

Did you know

  • Trivia
    Was tied for fourth place in Miss Connecticut pageant..
  • Quotes
    [on her role in Cool Hand Luke] I never had any inclination that this would be such a memorable role. Except for being in a movie with Paul Newman, I never expected this part to be so notable and get the reaction it did. After seeing it at the premiere, I was a bit embarrassed. Of all the things I've done, people know me most from this film.

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