Canadian actresses who were born in 1907
Here are 5 famous actresses from Canada were born in 1907:
Fay Wray
Fay Wray (September 15, 1907 Cardston-August 8, 2004 New York City) also known as Vina Fay Wray, Queen of the Bs, The Queen of Scream or Miss Fay Wray was a Canadian actor. She had three children, Robert Riskin Jr., Susan Saunders and Victoria Riskin.
Fay Wray began her career as an actress in silent films during the 1920s and moved onto appearing in talkies. She starred in over 70 films throughout her career, with her most notable role being Ann Darrow in the 1933 film "King Kong". The success of the film propelled her to stardom and solidified her status as a scream queen. She continued to act in films and television shows throughout the 1940s and 1950s before retiring from acting in the 1960s. Wray was also a published author, releasing her autobiography "On the Other Hand" in 1988. In 2004, she passed away at the age of 96 in her Manhattan home.
Throughout her career, Fay Wray established herself as a versatile and talented actress. She was admired for her ability to convey raw emotions onscreen and for her natural beauty. Some of her other notable films include "The Most Dangerous Game" (1932), "The Vampire Bat" (1933), and "Doctor X" (1932). In addition to her acting and writing, Wray was also known for her philanthropic work. She was actively involved in various charities and was a staunch advocate for mental health awareness. Fay Wray's contributions to cinema and her lasting impact on the horror genre have cemented her as a Hollywood legend.
Wray was born in Canada, but her family moved to Los Angeles when she was young. She began her acting career at the age of 16 and quickly gained popularity for her beauty and talent. Despite her success in Hollywood, Wray struggled to find meaningful roles and often felt typecast as a damsel in distress. However, she persevered and continued to work in the industry for over three decades.
In addition to her work on screen, Wray was also known for her personal life. She was married three times, and her second husband was screenwriter Robert Riskin, with whom she had two children. Riskin wrote the screenplay for several of her films, including "It Happened One Night" (1934), which won five Academy Awards.
Throughout her life, Wray remained humble about her success and grateful for her fans. She often attended film festivals and fan events, where she was adored by generations of movie lovers. Her legacy continues to live on through her iconic role in "King Kong" and the countless other films she appeared in throughout her career.
Barbara Kent
Barbara Kent (December 16, 1907 Gadsby-October 13, 2011 Palm Desert) also known as Barbara Cloutman was a Canadian actor.
She was best known for her role as the female lead in the 1926 silent film "Flesh and the Devil" opposite Greta Garbo and John Gilbert. Kent began her acting career in 1925 and over the course of her career appeared in over 40 films. After the decline of the silent film era, Kent continued to work in the film industry, but primarily in supporting roles and as an extra. She also worked as a successful real estate agent. After her retirement, she lived a quiet life in Palm Desert, California until her death in 2011 at the age of 103.
Despite her success in Hollywood, Barbara Kent never considered herself a star. After her acting career ended, she decided to walk away from the limelight and start a new career in real estate. She worked in that field for over three decades, establishing herself as one of the most successful real estate agents in Southern California. Despite her many achievements, Kent remained humble and always expressed her gratitude for the opportunities that came her way. In 2011, at the age of 103, she passed away peacefully in her home in Palm Desert. Her legacy, however, continues to live on, inspiring generations of actors and women in Hollywood.
Not only was Barbara Kent a successful actor and real estate agent, but she was also an author. In 1990, she wrote and published her memoirs, titled "I'm a Lucky Star." In the book, Kent reflects on her experiences in Hollywood during the silent film era, including stories about working with some of the biggest stars of the time such as Garbo and Gilbert. Kent's memoirs are considered a valuable source of information about Hollywood in the 1920s and have been praised for their insight into the film industry during that time. Her contributions to the history of film and her longevity as one of its stars have ensured that her name will always be remembered in the annals of Hollywood history.
Betty Westmore
Betty Westmore (August 5, 1907 Vancouver-January 14, 1999 Los Angeles) otherwise known as Florence Elizabeth. Egan, Betty Harron or Betty Egan was a Canadian actor. Her child is called Colleene Harron.
Betty Westmore began her acting career in the 1930s, appearing in a few small film roles before transitioning to work as a film and television makeup artist. She was a part of the famous Westmore family, who were well-known Hollywood makeup artists. Betty worked on many popular films and TV shows, including "Gone with the Wind," "The Munsters," and "The Twilight Zone." In addition to her work in the entertainment industry, Betty was also heavily involved in charity work and served as the president of the Motion Picture and Television Fund for several years. She passed away in 1999 at the age of 91.
Betty Westmore was born as Florence Elizabeth Egan in Vancouver, Canada in 1907. She began her career in show business as an actor in the 1930s in small film roles. Betty then transitioned into the field of makeup artistry, following in the footsteps of her family, the Westmores, who were a well-known Hollywood makeup artist dynasty.
Betty Westmore's contributions to Hollywood as a makeup artist are undeniable, and she worked on numerous films and TV shows throughout her career. She was involved in the making of the 1939 classic "Gone with the Wind," for which she designed the make-up for Clark Gable. Betty was also responsible for creating the iconic makeup looks for the characters on the popular TV show "The Munsters" and worked on three episodes of "The Twilight Zone".
In addition to her successful career in the entertainment industry, Betty Westmore was also very involved in charity work. She was an active member of the Motion Picture and Television Fund, which provides assistance to film and television industry workers who are in need. Betty served as the president of the organization for several years.
Betty Westmore passed away in Los Angeles in 1999 at the age of 91, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and influence the world of makeup artistry in Hollywood.
Betty Westmore's husband was actor Robert Harron, who tragically passed away in 1920 at the age of 27. Betty went on to marry makeup artist Frank Westmore, becoming a member of the famous Westmore family. She had one daughter, Colleene Harron, who also pursued a career in the entertainment industry and worked as an actress and makeup artist. Betty's contributions to the field of makeup artistry were recognized with a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 1960. She also authored a book titled "The Technique of the Professional Make-up Artist" that was published in 1958 and is still used as a reference in the industry today. Betty Westmore's impact on Hollywood and the world of makeup artistry continues to be celebrated and remembered by those in the industry.
Mady Correll
Mady Correll (April 19, 1907 Montreal-December 18, 1981 Los Angeles) was a Canadian actor.
Mady Correll was born as Madeleine Corren MacMahon in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. She began her career as a stage actor and singer in both the United States and Canada. She made her film debut in the musical comedy "College Holiday" (1936) and went on to appear in several other films throughout the 1930s and 1940s, including "The Lady Eve" (1941) and "The Palm Beach Story" (1942).
In addition to her acting career, Correll was also a talented singer and appeared on the radio as a vocalist. She recorded several songs, including "Love Is All" and "I Love You Truly."
Correll retired from acting in the early 1950s and focused on raising her family. She was married to actor Robert Sterling from 1943 until his death in 2006. Mady Correll passed away in Los Angeles, California in 1981 at the age of 74.
Despite her impressive Hollywood career, Mady Correll also had success in Broadway productions, starring in the Rodgers and Hart musical "I Married an Angel" in 1938. She was also known for her work on radio programs, including "The Kraft Music Hall" and "The Jack Benny Program."
In addition to her marriage to Robert Sterling, Correll was previously married to Irving Mansfield, a Broadway producer. She had two children, actress Laura and singer Jeffrey, from her marriage to Sterling.
Correll was active in charitable organizations throughout her life, including serving as a chairwoman of the Cerebral Palsy Foundation. She was also a member of the famous Hollywood social club The Masquers.
In 1944, Mady Correll co-starred with her husband, Robert Sterling, in the film "The American Way." Sterling and Correll acted in several productions together both on stage and screen, such as "The Two Mrs. Carrolls" (1947) and "Father Knows Best" (1954). Correll was known for her elegant and refined screen presence and her talents as both an actress and singer. In her later years, she became involved in the field of psychology and studied at the California School of Professional Psychology. Mady Correll will always be remembered for her contributions to the entertainment industry and her dedication to philanthropic causes.
Marion Clayton Anderson
Marion Clayton Anderson (February 9, 1907 Kimberley-August 31, 1994 Monterey) a.k.a. Marion Clayton was a Canadian actor.
She was born in Kimberley, British Columbia and grew up in Calgary, Alberta. Anderson was one of the few Black actors working in Hollywood during the 1930s and 1940s. She appeared in numerous films, including "The Thief of Bagdad" (1940) and "Lady for a Night" (1942). Anderson was also a stage performer, starring in productions on Broadway and in Los Angeles. In addition to her acting career, Anderson served as the head of drama at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. She later settled in Monterey, California where she continued to teach and act in local theater productions. Anderson was a trailblazer for Black actors in Hollywood and made significant contributions to the performing arts throughout her life.
Despite facing discrimination and limited opportunities for Black actors at the time, Anderson was determined to pursue her passion for acting. She began her career in the 1920s, performing on stage in Canada before making her way to Hollywood. Anderson broke numerous barriers throughout her career, including being the first Black woman to portray Juliet in a production of "Romeo and Juliet" at the Pasadena Playhouse.
Outside of her acting and teaching career, Anderson was an advocate for civil rights and social justice. She participated in protests and was a member of the Interracial Congress, an organization dedicated to promoting racial equality. Anderson also spoke out against discrimination in the entertainment industry.
Anderson's legacy continues to inspire generations of artists and activists. In 2020, the city of Monterey declared August 31st as "Marion Anderson Day" in honor of her contributions to the arts and her work for social justice.
In addition to her groundbreaking work as an actor and educator, Marion Clayton Anderson was also a published writer. She wrote articles for various publications, including The Crisis, a magazine founded by the NAACP, and authored a play titled "African Village." The play was performed by the Karamu Players, an all-Black theater group in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1934. In the 1950s, Anderson also hosted a radio show in Los Angeles that featured interviews with prominent Black figures, including singer Paul Robeson and activist W.E.B. Du Bois.
Anderson continued to work in the entertainment industry in various capacities throughout her life, including serving as a talent scout for MGM Studios. Despite her significant contributions, Anderson's legacy was often overlooked by mainstream Hollywood. It wasn't until later in her life that she began to receive recognition for her achievements. In 1980, Anderson was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame, and in 1991, she received a Pioneer Award from the Screen Actors Guild.
Marion Clayton Anderson's legacy serves as a testament to the perseverance and determination of Black actors during the early years of Hollywood, as well as the importance of fighting for social justice and equality in all aspects of society.