Early Life and Musical Talent

Born Michele Lee Henson on February 26, 1943, in Annapolis, Maryland, she was the daughter of Stanley Willard Henson, a wrestling coach at the U.S. Naval Academy. The family later relocated to Rochester, Minnesota, where her father continued his education in medicine and eventually became a medical specialist in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Carey displayed a remarkable aptitude for music at an early age. She was considered a piano prodigy, winning a national competition at the Chicago Music Festival when she was only 13 years old. She also performed with the Rochester Symphony Orchestra, further highlighting her early accomplishments in classical music.

Acting Career in Film and Television

Michele Carey transitioned into a successful acting career, appearing prominently in films during the 1960s and 1970s. Her breakout role came in Howard Hawks' western El Dorado (1966), where she starred alongside John Wayne and Robert Mitchum. She became recognized for her sharp wit, distinctive voice, and strong screen presence.

Over the course of her career, she appeared in several notable films, including The Sweet Ride (1968), Live a Little, Love a Little (1968), and Dirty Dingus Magee (1970). In addition to her work in film, Carey made guest appearances on various popular television shows of the era, contributing to her legacy as a versatile actress.

Personal Life and Later Years

In 1999, Michele Carey married businessman Fred G. Strebel. The couple resided in both Hillsborough and Rancho Mirage, California. Strebel passed away on December 28, 2011.

Carey herself passed away on November 21, 2018, at the age of 75 in Newport Beach, California. Earlier that same year, her father—who held the distinction of being the oldest living NCAA wrestling champion—also passed away. Her mother had died in 2016.