- O'Neill, working under her given name, Elaine Nolan, served on the board of the Hempstead Chamber of Commerce and was the president of the Country Club Estates Civic Association. She also was a member of the Nassau County Historical Society, Hofstra University Club, and Hempstead Historical Society. She was an avid supporter of many animal, environmental, and veteran's organizations.
- In 1972, she and her widowed mother moved to Hempstead, New York and opened their own real estate brokerage office, covering both commercial and residential sales and rentals throughout Nassau County.
- She promoted herself in burlesque circles as "the original garter girl".
- After graduating from high school, she earned money as a model for commercial photography, posing in stockings, lingerie, hats, and bathing suits.
- After WW II, she took engagements in various opera productions, such as the Citizens Opera Company and Midwest Opera Company.
- She was one of the subjects depicted by the celebrated photographer, Diane Arbus, who published an image of O'Neill staying at a nudist camp. The photograph, entitled "Nudist lady with swan sunglasses, Pa. 1965,"1 was taken in the same year O'Neill was filming the movie, Secrets of an Uncover Model (1965).
- During the 1960s she was a regular contributor to the risqué men's magazine, "Man to Man". Her column, "Burlesque Backstage," chronicled her experiences in the profession. Those columns often ended with entreaties to fans, particularly soldiers serving in the Vietnam War, to write her letters.
- During World War II, she toured several Midwestern states as an entertainer for the United Service Organizations (USO).
- In March, 1960, she was arrested in her home and accused of possessing nude photographs of herself and distributing them through the mail. Among the many people who vouched for her character was her podiatrist who stated: "she has always conducted herself in a lady-like manner and I have the highest regard for her integrity and moral character." She was convicted and served four days of a 10-day jail sentence.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content