Carla Balenda (born Sally Bliss; November 22, 1925 – April 9, 2024) was an American actress who worked steadily in film and television from the 1940s through the 1960s, becoming best known for her role as the love interest in comedian Mickey Rooney’s television series. After holding contracts with RKO and Columbia Pictures, Balenda appeared in a number of B-movies, starring in the sci-fi thriller The Whip Hand (1951) and the adventure film Prince of Pirates (1953). However, she found her greatest success on the small screen as Pat, the charming girlfriend of Mickey Rooney on The Mickey Rooney Show: Hey, Mulligan (1954-1955).
She remained a familiar face on television throughout the era, making guest appearances on popular shows like Perry Mason and Wagon Train. Upon her passing in 2024 at the age of 98, Carla Balenda was remembered as one of the last surviving actresses from the Golden Age of Hollywood.
