Donna Butterworth


Donna Lee Butterworth was an American actress, best known for starring opposite Elvis Presley in the 1966 musical comedy Paradise, Hawaiian Style, when she was 10 years old.
Butterworth's career as an actor and performer was brief; however, during that short time, she received critical acclaim.

Biography

Donna Lee Butterworth was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 23, 1956, the daughter of Isabella "Isa" Chalfant. She had one sibling, a brother named William "Bill" Butterworth.
Butterworth's family lived in Pennsylvania for the first three years of her life before they moved to Hawaii, where Butterworth remained until her death. She learned to play the ukulele soon after moving to Hawaii.
Performing Hawaiian music from an early age, Donna gave concerts around the islands, performed with Don Ho, and appeared on The Dean Martin Show, The Danny Kaye Show and The Hollywood Palace. She was nominated for a golden globe award for her role in the 1965 film The Family Jewels. In 1966, she appeared opposite Elvis Presley, singing several duets with him in Paradise, Hawaiian Style. Little Leatherneck, an unsold sit-com pilot film in which she appeared, aired on ABC television as part of the 7-week 1966 series Summer Fun.
Butterworth ultimately left acting after her brief stardom; she continued in the entertainment business as a singer.

Death

Donna Butterworth died on March 6, 2018 at a medical center in Hilo, Hawaii from undisclosed causes. She was 62 years old.

Filmography