Glamorous Dina Merrill, whose aristocratic poise and glamorous looks earned her parts in many classic films and TV series has died aged 93. She had suffered from dementia for many years.
Born to an impeccably upper-class background, Merrill was the daughter of broker Edward F. Hutton and breakfast foods heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post. Barbara Hutton was a cousin.
In Hollywood, Merrill appeared in such films as Desk Set (1957) with Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn, Operation Petticoat (1959) with Cary Grant and Butterfield 8 (1960), among many others. She was a constant presence on the small screen, appearing as herself on TV panel shows What's My Line and To Tell the Truth. A later generation knew her as Maxfield Sheffield's snooty mother on The Nanny. She remained a steadfast presence on the New York social scene and spent decades as a philanthropist and fundraiser for charities.
She is survived by her husband (since 1989) Ted Hartley and two of her four children.
