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In 1944, Meg ( Gene Roberts ) graduated from high school and enrolled in the University of Oklahoma School of Drama where she studied for one year.

While at OU, she was encouraged to consider pursuing a motion picture career upon meeting a Hollywood agent who offered to set up an interview for her with Mary Pickford and Paramount.

After some time of consideration, 19-year-old Meg had made the decision by August of 1945 to head for Hollywood, leaving her hometown of Muskogee and the University of Oklahoma behind and knowing there was no guarantee that she would actually become a Hollywood actress.

As it turned out, Meg had caught the eye of Director Clarence Brown who had seen her perform the lead in the play Claudia on the OU campus as he was scouting new talent earlier in the year.

MGM had been on a casting search for some fresh talent for The Yearling and Clarence believed that the role of Orry Baxter might be suited for her.

She promptly signed with MGM under her actual name, Gene Roberts, and was called three times to test for the role even though MGM newcomer, Jacqueline White, previously had the part and had already filmed some scenes that summer.

Ultimately, Meg's youthfulness was the deciding factor that prevented MGM from assigning her this lead role.

When production resumed in mid-September of 1945, Clarence had chosen 28-year-old Jane Wyman, who was on loan from Warner Brothers, to portray a more mature character with co-star Gregory Peck.

The Yearling was released in May of 1947 and went on to win multiple Academy Awards and nominations, including a Best Actress nomination for Jane Wyman.