Born Beverly Fessenden in Santa Cruz, California, Beverly Garland studied dramatics under Anita Arliss, the sister of renowned stage and screen star George Arliss. She acted in little theater in Glendale and then in Phoenix, after her family relocated to Arizona. Garland also worked in radio and appeared scantily clad in a few risque shorts (with titles like "Fanny With the Cheeks of Tan") before making her feature film debut in a supporting part in D.O.A.. Her husbands include actor Richard Garland and land developer Fillmore Crank, who built the two hotels which bear her name.
Starting with Remington Steele, she played mothers of three television women with hazardous lives; from the aforementioned show, Laura Holt (Stephanie Zimbalist), Amanda King (Kate Jackson) of Scarecrow and Mrs. King & Lois Lane (Teri Hatcher) of Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Son, James and daughter, Carrington, with Crank. Stepchildren, Cathleen and Fillmore, Jr. The Beverly Garland hotels are named after her. Her late husband, Fillmore Crank, was a land developer. Tina Cole is married to her stepson, Fillmore Crank Jr.