Jeanne Dean Kotler; Vargas Model, Actress and Poet

Jeanne Dean Kotler, red-haired model for the artist Vargas, film actress and poet, has died at her home in Malibu. She was 68.

Mrs. Kotler died Aug. 20 of lung disease.

Her work for Vargas early in her career attracted the attention of MGM, which put her under contract. Her films included “Never Wave at a WAC” and “Voodoo Tiger” in 1952, “Clipped Wings” in 1953, “Gog” in 1954 and “Blood of Dracula” in 1957.

As a poet, she published the book “Now Is Only a Heartbeat” and last year won a Golden Poet Award presented by Milton Berle in San Francisco.

The avid horsewoman was a charter member of Trancas Riders and Ropers and for the last six years had raised and shown champion Peruvian Pasos.

Mrs. Kotler is survived by a son, Kirby Kotler of Malibu; two daughters, Kerry Engle of Capistrano Beach and Kim Kotler of Santa Cruz, a brother and four grandchildren.