Former Mousketeer Holdridge dead at 64

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SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan. 10 (UPI) -- Actress Cheryl Holdridge, first known for her Mouseketeer role on "The Mickey Mouse Club," has died in Santa Monica, Calif., at the age of 64, a friend said.

Doreen Tracey, who was also a Mouseketeer on the popular 1950s TV series, confirmed Holdridge died of unspecified causes this week after battling lung cancer for two years, the Los Angeles Times reported Friday.

Tracey said Holdridge joined "Mickey" during the series' second season and quickly became part of the show's core of stars.

"She was a good technical dancer, but I think she was picked mostly because she had this angelic look and a great smile; she's known for her smile," Tracey said of Holdridge, who died Tuesday.

Holdridge also enjoyed TV success by playing Julie Foster on "Leave It to Beaver." Foster served as the steady girlfriend of Wally Cleaver, one of the popular sitcom's lead characters.

The actress also enjoyed guest roles in other TV series such as "My Three Sons," "The Dick Van Dyke Show," "Bewitched" and "The Rifleman."

The Times said Holdridge leaves no immediate survivors.