• Michele Carey was an American actress who made her breakthrough in the 1967 film "El Dorado"
• Born in Annapolis, Maryland, she attended Fort Collins High School and moved to Los Angeles in 1964
• She rose to prominence with the 1968 film "Live a Little, Love a Little" next to Elvis Presley
• Her net worth was ~$5 million at the time of her death in 2018
• She died of natural causes at her home in Newport Beach, California
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Who is Michele Carey?
Michele Carey was an American actress who made her breakthrough with the role of Josephine ‘Joey’ MacDonald in the film “El Dorado” (1967), and made a name for herself with the role of Bernice next to Elvis Presley in the film “Live a Little, Love a Little” (1968).
If yes, then stay with us for the length of the article, as we reveal to you all the important details about Michele, including the cause of her death.
Michele Carey Wiki: Childhood, Education
Born Michele Lee Henson on the 26th February 1943, in Annapolis, Maryland USA, she was the daughter of Stanley Williard Henson Jr. and his wife Thelma Burnell Henson. Her father, a successful surgeon, first worked as a wrestling instructor at the US Naval Academy, but the family moved to Rochester, Minnesota, where her father completed his medical studies.
However, after a while the Henson family moved to Fort Collins, Colorado, where her father became the first surgeon in the city, and where Michele attended Fort Collins High School. One interesting event from this period of her life was that Michele was married in her high school, and that she gave birth to a son, Kevin Troy Schwanke. However, there is no further information about her marriage.
Career Beginnings
Following her high school matriculation, Michele received a modeling contract offer from the Powers agency, and as a result of her acceptance, she moved to Los Angeles in 1964. She brought her son with her, but after a few successful modeling gigs, she decided it is time to pursue her first career choice, acting. In no time, Michele caught the attention of producers and casting directors, thanks to her beauty and her trademark long wild hair, and the same year she moved to Los Angeles, Michele made her acting debut.
She secured a minor role in the popular TV series “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.”, and the following year appeared in the TV series “Wendy and Me”.
Rise to Prominence
Gradually Michele was becoming more popular, and in 1967 she reached stardom with the part of Josephine ‘Joey’ MacDonald in the romantic western drama film “El Dorado”, starring John Wayne, Robert Mitchum and James Caan.
She continued her way on to stardom with roles such as Thumper Stevens in the film “The Sweet Ride”, then as Bernice in “Live a Little, Love a Little”, both in 1968. Before the decade ended, Michele featured in several other projects, most notably the film “Changes” in 1969.
Career Decline and Retirement
With the start of the ‘70s, Michele’s popularity started declining and her acting career entered a downward spiral. She appeared in B-production films, and made a few appearances in television series and films.
Some of her projects included the television action sci-fi drama film “The Six Million Dollar Man: Wine, Women, and War” (1973), and her voicing of Effie in the TV action-adventure series “A Man Called Sloane” (1979). Michele retired in 1988, and before that, featured in the television film “Rooster” in 1982, and portrayed Ginny Hansen in the film “In the Shadow of Kilimanjaro” (1986). Her last appearance was in the horror film “The Stay Awake” (1988).
Michele Carey Net Worth
Michele enjoyed success in the late ’60s and early ‘70s, which increased her wealth by a large margin. Net worth was ~$5 million at her death date.
Michele Carey Personal Life, Marriage, Cause of Death
She was married to businessman Fred G. Strebel from 1999 until his death on the 28th December 2011. The two didn’t have children together.
Michele was 75 years old when she passed away on the 21st November 2018 at her home in Newport Beach, California. According to reports, Michele died of natural causes. She remained secretive until her death, and never used social media networks.
