Betty Furness
Toronto Daily Star, June 20 1932
Betty Furness (1916-1994) appeared in a number of movies in the 1930s. Starting in 1948, she became the television spokesperson for Westinghouse products. Televised advertisements featuring Ms. Furness were so effective that sales of the company's products soared and her annual salary was over $100,000.
Later in life, she became a consumer rights advocate and served as a board member for Consumers Union, which published Consumer Reports magazine. She was married four times, including twice to radio announcer Hugh "Bud" Ernst Jr. (Trigger warning ahead.) In 1950, despondent over the breakup of their marriage, Ernst shot himself after first phoning a New York newspaper and saying, "If you want a good story, come and get it."
Created October 28, 2025.