Knox became well known after Maybelline placed her full page glossy autographed picture on the back of magazines after appearing as herself in Universal Studios 1944 production of “Follow the Boys.” One of the World War 11 morale-booster films made for both the soldiers serving overseas as well as civilians at home.
Knox was also a Pin Up Girl during the War, appearing in such magazines as YANK, a weekly put out by the United States Military. Ads like this combined with Maybelline ads on the back of movie magazines, created a desire in all Service Men to return to the arms of their sweet All American girls – with those Maybelline eyes .
In Late 1944 Knox was signed by Monogram Pictures to portray Anne Howe, the love interest of fictional boxer Joe Palooka in Joe Palooka, Champ. Based on the very popular comic strip. The instant success of the May 1946 film led to Knox appearing in another five Joe Palooka productions. She retired from film making in 1946 after appearing in the musical There’s a Girl in My Heart but continued doing Print ads like the one above for Maybelline while appearing on the Bing Crosby radio show where she met foot star Tom Harmon. She married fashion photographer Paul Hesse one of Maybelline’s official photographers, divorced and married Tom Harmon in 1944.
The couple had three children, Kristin, who married Ricky Nelson and had Tracy, twins Gunnar and Lars, and a son Sam who modeled and acted in film and TV (TJ Hooker.) And Kelly….. and Mark Harmon of NCIS.