Did Dina Merrill come from a fat family? Oh, did Dina Merrill come from a fat family? Let’s just say she did n’t exactly have to pinch pennies growing up. Dina was born into the kind of plutocrat that makes Monopoly plutocrat look like chump change. Her mama was Marjorie Merriweather Post, the cereal descendant of Post Cereals. Yes, as in the breakfast conglomerate that presumably filled your nonage coliseum with sticky virtuousness. And her pater ? Edward Francis Hutton, the author of a little fiscal establishment called E.F. Hutton. When he talked, people heeded — especially when it came to making bank!

So, Dina was enough important American kingliness, with a birth that included sprawling estates, a collection of jewels that could compete any gallery exhibition, and social connections that gauged captains of assiduity and leaders of nations. Imagine growing up in a world where” summer” is a verb and your vicinity is bigger than some public premises .

With that kind of background, it’s no wonder Dina Merrill ventured into acting — she had the kind of poise that ca n’t be tutored, the grace of someone who grew up attending balls and festivals, and the confidence of someone who knows they can call a assemblyman for tea. She brought a touch of class to every part she played, seamlessly transitioning from high society to Hollywood.

So yes, Dina Merrill did n’t just come from a fat family; she came from one of those families where a” small family gathering” could fluently be incorrect for a state regale. Her tableware ladle was presumably platinum!