1. - Catherina Von Schell, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, 1968

2. - Teresa Graves, Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In, TV,  1969-71. Many tested, few passed as  what became known as The Sock It To Me Girl in Dan Rowan and Dick Martin’s rapid fire  comedy show.

3. - Diana Ross, Lady Sings The Blues, 1972. Obvious first choice for the Billie Holiday bio was Dorothy Dandridge.  After her 1965 death, a battle royale began: Lola, Diahann Carroll, Cicely Tyson. Ross out-muscled them all by insisting that her Motown boss (and lover) Berry Gordy make it happen.