Ann Cullen lived what some might call a glamorous life.
One of two daughters of Academy Award-winning composer Heinz Roemheld, Cullen graduated from North Hollywood High, then attended the University of Southern California, where she majored in art.
Cullen became a runway model, showcasing the designs of DeDe Johnson, often on the runway at Robinson’s “Tea Room.’ She acted in feature films and television commercials, and occasionally showed up on games show hosted by her husband, Bill Cullen—shows like “The Price is Right.”
As a New York resident, she and husband, Bill, owned a 40-foot cabin cruiser, which they would sail along the eastern seaboard. When they moved to California, their first home was in Casiano Estates, at the top of Sepulveda Pass. Bill passed away in 1990 and Ann spent her final years in Corona del Mar, meeting friends for walks in the park and poker games.
In the end, according to her nephew, John Narz, she wanted to ensure that her estate would make a difference for others.
“She was very generous,” says Narz. ”She wanted to share what she had.”