Born on April 28, 1923, in Lansing, Michigan, she was an integral figure in the Beat Generation. Though primarily known as a writer and artist, her life was deeply intertwined with notable figures like Jack Kerouac and Neal Cassady, whom she married. Her memoir "Off the Road" provides insight into her experiences with the Beat movement. While not predominantly recognized as a film actor, her legacy remains through her contributions to literature and the cultural era she helped shape. She passed away in 2013.