Sally Starr (January 25, 1923 – January 27, 2013) was a prominent 1950s celebrity television personality. Using a cowgirl persona, she appealed to local TV audiences of several generations of children through American radio, Broadway stage, movies and as a recording artist for over 60 years. Fans remained loyal in the Philadelphia metropolitan area (referred to locally as the Delaware Valley), and embraced her cowgirl personality as part of their own family identity, and sometimes referred to her as "Aunt Sally".

Her numerous personal appearances at events were an attraction for both children and adults. She was considered not only a character personality, but also a total performer. She became the first top-rated female DJ in the country, and worked as announcer, writer and producer while also appearing on stage and in movies. Sally Starr established herself as a pioneer in the history of early broadcast TV and radio in the United States.

Biography

Starr was born Alleen Mae Beller in Kansas City, Missouri, and legally changed her name to Starr in 1941. She was the second oldest of five girls. Her parents, Charles and Bertha Beller, encouraged her to enter the world of show business, for which she exhibited both talent and ambition. At the age of 12 years, she and her sister Mildred, billed as the "Little Missouri Maids," made their debut on a CBS radio program titled "Blush Creek Follies".