Lynley was born Carole Ann Jones in Manhattan, New York City, the daughter of Frances (née Felch) and Cyril Jones. Her father was Irish and her mother, a native of
New England, was of English, Scottish, Welsh and German ancestry. She studied dance in her childhood. Lynley had first appeared on a local television show and at the age of 14 she was signed as a child model. She then appeared on live TV shows, the
Goodyear Television Playhouse,
Alfred Hitchcock Presents and
Danger Route. had already registered the name in the
Actors' Equity Association. She modified it by using the final syllable of Carolyn and fusing it with Lee to make Lynley. She appeared on the April 22, 1957, cover of
Life identified as "Carol Lynley, 15, Busy Career Girl" at age 15. In her teenage years, Lynley appeared in several
Clairol and
Pepsodent advertisements that were publicized across the country. == Career ==