Elena Verdugo was an American actress born on April 20, 1925, in Paso Robles, California. She began her career in films at the tender age of five, appearing in "Cavalier of the West" (1931).

Her career spanned six decades, encompassing radio, television, and film. Verdugo studied dance, drama, and music as a child, which helped her in her acting career. She was the daughter of Mrs. Beatrice K. Verdugo.

Her early film career included roles in "Down Argentine Way" (1940) and Universal horror films like "House of Frankenstein" (1944) and "The Frozen Ghost" (1945). She met and married screenwriter Charles R. Marion while filming the Abbott and Costello comedy "Little Giant" (1946).

She starred in "The Big Sombrero" (1949) with Gene Autry and Stephen Dunne, and had a small part in the 1950 film "Cyrano de Bergerac".

In television, Elena Verdugo is perhaps best known for her role as Consuelo Lopez, the office assistant/nurse in the ABC series "Marcus Welby, M.D." (1969-1976). She was nominated for Emmy Awards in 1971 and 1972 for her performance in this series. She also appeared in various other TV shows, including "Meet Millie" (1952-1956), "Rawhide" (1959), and "Petticoat Junction" (1964).

Her contributions to the entertainment industry were recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960. She passed away on May 30, 2017, in Los Angeles, California, leaving behind a legacy of diverse and memorable performances.