Trivia

Is immortalized in the popular song "Look at Me, I'm Sandra Dee" from the movie Grease (1978). The song mocked her squeaky-clean image but Dee reportedly said in a statement that she did not mind, and always had a big laugh about it.

She received renewed attention after the release of the movie Beyond the Sea (2004), the biopic about her late husband Bobby Darin that recalled and detailed their stormy, headline marriage. Despite its painful aspects, she reportedly approved of the project and gave it her blessing.

Gave birth to her only child at age 19, a son Dodd Mitchell Cossotto (aka Dodd Darin) on December 16, 1961. Child's father was her then-husband, Bobby Darin.

After her once-hot career fell apart in the 1970s, she fell victim to anorexia, alcoholism and depression. To the delight of her fans, she resurfaced briefly after two decades of seclusion and was warmly embraced at Beverly Hills Canon Theatre in a stage production of "Love Letters" with her The Restless Years (1958) co-star John Saxon.

Her son, Dodd Mitchell, penned a book about his parents, "Dream Lovers: The Magnificent Shattered Lives of Bobby Darin and Sandra Dee", in 1994. In the book, he chronicled his mother's anorexia, and her drug and alcohol problems.

By 1965, she was the last major star still under an exclusive contract; she was Universal Studios' last actress under contract.

One of the most successful teenage movie stars of the 20th century, Dee was listed on the Quigley Publications Top Ten Money-Making Stars poll four years in a row, from 1960 through 1963, achieving her highest ranking of #6 in 1961.

A shy and retiring person by nature, Dee had never wanted to be a model or an actress, but was bullied into both by her domineering parents and, as a result, spent most of her adolescence and adult life in mental anguish and abject misery.

Was diagnosed with throat cancer and kidney failure in 2000.

In 1991, a frail Sandra Dee, then 49, did what would prove to be her last interview on Sally Jessy Raphael (1983). Some considered it exploitative and confessional. At the end of the show there were surprise reunions with James Darren and John Saxon, whom Dee was to appear with in a stage play. Also appearing was Shelley Fabares, who was a fan of Dee's. The appearance did not lead to a hoped-for comeback.

Universal Studios concocted the name 'Sandra Dee' for her by shortening her first name and by using her stepfather's surname initial "D" to sign vouchers.

Had two granddaughters: Alexa and Olivia Darin (daughters of Sandra's son Dodd Darin and his wife Audrey Tannenbaum).

Made her modeling debut in Girl Scouts magazine.

Co-starred with then-husband Bobby Darin in three films: Come September (1961), If a Man Answers (1962) and That Funny Feeling (1965).

Attended professional children's school in New York with fellow child models and future actresses Carol Lynley and Tuesday Weld. All three girls, along with another top New York child model of the time, Lorna Gilliam, frequently appeared in The American Girl Magazine and even appeared together in an ad for Canada Dry ginger ale.

Attended and graduated from Universal High School in Los Angeles, California in June 1958.

Is portrayed by Kate Bosworth in Beyond the Sea (2004)

Following her death, she was interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills) in Los Angeles, California.

Appeared with John Gavin in three films: Imitation of Life (1959), Tammy Tell Me True (1961), and Romanoff and Juliet (1961).

Appeared with John Saxon in three films: The Restless Years (1958), The Reluctant Debutante (1958) and Portrait in Black (1960).

Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume 7, 2003-2005, pages 135-136. Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson Gale, 2007.

Sandra Dee passed away on February 20, 2005, two months away from what would have been her 63rd birthday on April 23.

Mentioned in the song "Heart Shaped Locket" by the Gin Blossoms.

Mentioned along with many other celebrities in Bette Midler's list song, "Samedi et Vendredi", on her 1976 album, "Songs for the New Depression".

Portrayed by Anastasia Swann in Hollywood Mouth 3 (2018).

Lived at 1400-1426 Rising Glen Road in Los Angeles when she was married to Bobby Darin, just 1½ miles (2Km) from Holly's (Meg Foster) house in They Live (1988).

She was nominated for the 2024 New Jersey Hall of Fame in the Performing Arts & Entertainment category.