Karen Sue Trent: What happened to her? Everything You need to know

Karen Sue Trent was an American actress. She is known for Leave It to Beaver (1957), Garden of Eden (1954), and Shirley Temple’s Storybook (1958). Trent is the only child actress to ever have a major role in a naturist film. In her very last role, she played a young girl sinking in quicksand on The Rifleman, which ultimately soured her desire to keep performing because of injuries she sustained.

Karen Sue Trent: Bio Summary

Who is Karen Sue Trent?

Karen Sue Trent was born on March 14, 1948, in  West Virginia, the United States of America to her parents, Donald R. and Pauline Crumrine Alkire. She died on Sunday, February 20, 2022, in Wimauma, Florida United States of America. In addition to her parents who are also dead, she was preceded in death by one brother, Mike Alkire, and one sister, Sharon Rogers.

Who Was Karen Sue Trent’s husband?

Karen Sue was a married woman. She was married to her husband Richard Trent. The two love birds got married on May 23, 1970, in the Us. They got married in a beautiful ceremony in the presence of their friends, family, and loved ones. The couple were married for about five decades. They had two children together. Their children are Scott Trent and Tim Trent.

Career

Trent began her career in an unusual way, by starring in a naturist film. She played Joan Latimore in the film Garden of Eden (1954). She was only six years old at the time and did an excellent job in the role. Garden of Eden, directed by Max Nosseck, is a nudist film, as the title suggests, with co-producers Walter Bibo and Norval E. Packwood.

Karen Sue Trent appeared to have impressed directors with her previous role, as she subsequently landed back-to-back roles. In 1957, he appeared in the TV series Matinee Theatre, and the following year, he appeared in two more TV shows. She later appeared uncredited in Wagon Train, a TV series that aired in 1959.

Her most well-known role to date was on the set of Leave It to Beaver in 1960. She portrayed Penny Woods from 1960 to 1962, rising to prominence thanks to 14 episodes of the show. In the TV show, Jerry Mathers portrayed Theodore “The Beaver” Cleaver. Unfortunately, her last known role came the following year, and while playing it, she decided to quit.

Why did Karen Sue Trent stop acting?

What is the reason behind Karen Sue Trent’s retirement from acting? During the filming of Episode 26 Season 5 of the show The Rifleman, she was playing her role as Lorrie perfectly. Suddenly she sank into quicksand during the filming of the scene. She got stuck in the muddy bog and got injured.

Karen Sue was taken to the hospital immediately as the film crew got her out of the quicksand in no time. The actress was just 15 years old when all this incident occurred. That was Karen’s most traumatizing moment. After this, she completely got out of the industry and was never seen again.

Is Karen Sue Trent Still alive?

Karen was missing from the screen for decades but she passed away in 2022. She died Sunday, February 20, 2022, in Wimauma, FL. Karen Sue Trent was survived by her husband, Richard Trent, and also by her two sons, Scott Trent and wife Lynette and Tim Trent and wife Amy all of Buckhannon; three grandsons, Josh Trent of Morgantown, Evan Trent and Liam Trent both of Buckhannon; one granddaughter, Ava Trent of Buckhannon; one brother David Alkire and wife Bonnie of Buckhannon and several nieces and nephews.

Karen Sue Trent was active within numerous churches in Buckhannon. She will be remembered by those who were lucky enough to have known her as the sweetest, most loving, caring and faithful servant of God.