American movie stars born in 1908
Here are 44 famous actresses from United States of America were born in 1908:
Sally O'Neil
Sally O'Neil (October 23, 1908 Bayonne-June 18, 1968 Galesburg) otherwise known as Virginia Louise Concepta Noonan, Sally O'Neill, Sue O'Neill, Virginia Louise Noonan, Chotsie Noonan, Sue 'Bugs' O'Neill, Sue O'Neil or Sally O'Neil Keenan was an American actor.
Sally O'Neil began her career as a dancer in vaudeville before transitioning to acting. She appeared in over 40 films between 1927 and 1937, including "The Voice of the City," "Mighty Joe Young," and "The Girl from Missouri." Known for her beauty and athleticism, she often played spunky and independent young women in her roles. After struggling to find work in Hollywood, she retired from acting and moved to Galesburg, Illinois with her husband. Later in life, she suffered from financial difficulties and health problems. She passed away in 1968 at the age of 59.
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Ethel Merman
Ethel Merman (January 16, 1908 Astoria-February 15, 1984 Manhattan) a.k.a. Ethel Agnes Zimmermann was an American singer, actor and voice actor. Her children are called Robert Levitt Jr. and Ethel Levitt.
Merman is known for her powerful soprano voice and her performances in Broadway musicals such as "Anything Goes," "Annie Get Your Gun," and "Gypsy." She began her career in vaudeville and quickly rose to stardom in the 1930s. Merman also appeared in several films, including "Alexander's Ragtime Band" and "There's No Business Like Show Business." She later ventured into television, hosting her own variety show, "The Ethel Merman Show," in the 1950s. Throughout her career, Merman earned many accolades including a Tony Award, a Grammy Award, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She is considered one of the greatest musical performers of all time.
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Frances Day
Frances Day (December 16, 1908 East Orange-April 29, 1984 Windsor) a.k.a. Frances Victoria Schenck, Samta Young Johnson, Frankie, Frances Victoria Schenk or Day, Frances was an American singer and actor.
She began her career as a child performer in vaudeville and later became a popular cabaret singer in the 1930s. She also appeared in several films, including "The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex" (1939) and "It's a Grand Old World" (1951).
Day was known for her sultry voice and glamorous image, and was often compared to other popular female singers of her time such as Judy Garland and Lena Horne. She was also a fashion icon, often wearing glamorous and daring outfits on stage and in public.
In addition to her career in entertainment, Day was a philanthropist and supported various charitable causes throughout her life. She was also an advocate for the arts and served as a board member for the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).
Despite her success, Day struggled with alcoholism and died of cirrhosis of the liver at the age of 75. She was posthumously inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1996.
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Elsa Benham
Elsa Benham (November 20, 1908 St. Louis-April 20, 1995 Irving) was an American actor.
She appeared in over 30 films and numerous television shows throughout her career. Elsa began her acting career in the 1930s, making her debut in the film "Street of Women" (1932). She is best known for her roles in films such as "The White Parade" (1934), "The Bohemian Girl" (1936), and "Stowaway" (1936). Elsa also acted on Broadway, making her debut in the play "Foxy" (1964). In addition to her work in front of the camera, Elsa was also a noted theater director and drama teacher. She passed away in 1995 at the age of 86.
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Betty Boyd
Betty Boyd (May 11, 1908 Kansas City-September 16, 1971 Los Angeles) also known as Elizabeth "Betty" Boyd or Elizabeth Boyd Smith was an American actor.
She began her acting career in the 1920s and appeared in over thirty films throughout the 1930s and 1940s, often playing supporting roles. Her notable film roles include "The Big Broadcast" (1932), "A Bedtime Story" (1933), "The Cat and the Canary" (1939), and "The Lady Is Willing" (1942). She also made appearances on television in the 1950s, including guest roles on "The Honeymooners" and "The Jack Benny Show." Boyd retired from acting in the early 1960s and passed away in 1971 at the age of 63.
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Shirley Palmer
Shirley Palmer (December 25, 1908 Chicago-March 29, 2000 Los Angeles) was an American actor.
She began her acting career on stage in the 1920s, appearing in several Broadway productions before transitioning to film in the 1930s. Palmer acted in over 50 films throughout her career, playing notable supporting roles in movies such as "The Awful Truth" (1937) and "The Fallen Sparrow" (1943). She also made numerous television appearances in the 1950s and 1960s, including guest spots on popular shows like "Perry Mason" and "The Twilight Zone." In addition to her acting work, Palmer was an accomplished dancer and choreographer who often incorporated her skills into her stage and screen performances. She continued to work in the entertainment industry well into her 80s, passing away in 2000 at the age of 91.
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Billie Bird
Billie Bird (February 28, 1908 Pocatello-November 27, 2002 Granada Hills) also known as Billie Bird Sellen or Berniece Bird was an American comedian, actor and vaudeville performer.
She began her entertainment career as a dancer in vaudeville before transitioning to acting in films and television. Bird appeared in over 80 films throughout her career, including "Home Alone," "Sixteen Candles," and "The Odd Couple." She also had numerous guest roles on popular television shows such as "The Golden Girls," "The Munsters," and "Bewitched." In 1986, she received an Emmy nomination for her guest appearance on "Night Court." Bird continued to act until her death at the age of 94. She was known for her comedic timing and ability to steal scenes with her talent for physical comedy.
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Patsy Montana
Patsy Montana (October 30, 1908 Hot Springs-May 3, 1996 San Jacinto) also known as Montana, Patsy was an American singer and actor.
She was born Ruby Rose Blevins in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Montana began her career as a radio performer and became the first female country performer to have a million-selling single with her song "I Want to Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart" in 1935. She continued to release successful songs throughout the 1930s and 1940s and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1996, shortly before her death. Montana also acted in several films, including "Colorado Sunset" and "The Singing Hill".
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Bette Davis
Bette Davis (April 5, 1908 Lowell-October 6, 1989 Neuilly-sur-Seine) otherwise known as Ruth Elizabeth Davis, The First Lady of Film, The Fifth Warner Brother, Miss Bette Davis, Betty, Betty Davis, Ruth Elizabeth "Bette" Davis, The First Lady of the American Screen, Ruth Davis or Fred was an American actor. She had three children, B. D. Hyman, Michael Merrill and Margot Merrill.
Bette Davis was known for her unique style and her willingness to take on complex and challenging roles. She began her career in Hollywood in the early 1930s and quickly became one of the most respected actors of her time. Davis was nominated for 10 Academy Awards and won two. Some of her most famous films include "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?", "All About Eve", and "Now, Voyager". She was also a trailblazer for women in Hollywood, fighting for fair wages and creative control over her own work. Additionally, Davis was a strong advocate for the arts and served on the board of the American National Theater and Academy. She passed away in 1989 at the age of 81, leaving behind a legacy as one of Hollywood's most iconic and inspiring stars.
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Carole Lombard
Carole Lombard (October 6, 1908 Fort Wayne-January 16, 1942 Potosi Mountain) also known as Jane Alice Peters, Ma, The Hoosier Tornado, The Profane Angel, Queen of Screwball Comedy, Jane Peters, Carol Lombard or Carole Lombard Gable was an American actor.
Lombard began her career in silent films in the 1920s and transitioned to talkies in the 1930s. She was known for her comedic timing and ability to play strong, independent women. Lombard was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in the film "My Man Godfrey" (1936).
Outside of her acting career, Lombard was also known for her marriage to Hollywood legend Clark Gable. The two met on the set of the film "No Man of Her Own" (1932) and married in 1939. Tragically, Lombard died in a plane crash in 1942 while returning from a war bond rally. She was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in recognition of her contributions to the war effort.
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Mae Questel
Mae Questel (September 13, 1908 The Bronx-January 4, 1998 New York City) otherwise known as Mae Kwestel, mae_questel, Mae Questelle, Mae Questal or Questel, Mae was an American actor, voice actor and singer. She had two children, Richard Balkin and Robert Balkin.
Questel gained popularity for her voice work, particularly as the voices of Betty Boop and Olive Oyl in various animated productions. She initially gained attention for her Betty Boop impression in a nightclub act, which led her to be hired by Fleischer Studios, where she provided the voice for Betty Boop from 1931 to 1939. She later reprised her role as Betty Boop in various media, including commercials and video games. Questel also provided the voice for Olive Oyl in various Popeye cartoons from 1933 to 1938.
Aside from her voice work, Questel also appeared in several films and television shows, most notably in the 1978 film "New York, New York" directed by Martin Scorsese. In addition, she was a popular radio performer and sang on several recordings throughout her career. Questel continued to work into her 80s and was honored with a lifetime achievement award by the American Guild of Variety Artists in 1990.
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Marceline Day
Marceline Day (April 24, 1908 Colorado Springs-February 16, 2000 Cathedral City) also known as Marceline Newlin was an American actor.
She started her career in silent films during the 1920s and appeared in over 60 films throughout her career. Day was best known for her work in the comedy genre and is particularly remembered for her roles in films such as "The Sap" (1929) and "All Quiet on the Western Front" (1930). She transitioned to talkies with ease and continued to work steadily in films until the mid-1930s, when she decided to retire from acting. Following her retirement from the film industry, Day became a successful real estate agent in Southern California. She passed away in 2000 at the age of 91.
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Kathryn Eames
Kathryn Eames (July 25, 1908-December 12, 2004) was an American actor.
Throughout her career, she appeared in over 50 films and TV shows, most notably in films such as "The Devil's Threesome" (1978), "Satan's Triangle" (1975), and "The Resurrection of Zachary Wheeler" (1971). Eames began her career in the 1930s as a stage actor before transitioning to film in the 1950s. Besides her work in films and TV, Eames was also a theater director and acting coach. She is remembered for her contributions to the entertainment industry and for paving the way for future female actors.
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Barbara Luddy
Barbara Luddy (May 25, 1908 Great Falls-April 1, 1979 Los Angeles) was an American actor.
She began her career in Hollywood in the 1930s, and went on to appear in over 100 films and television shows over the course of her career. Luddy is perhaps best known for her work as a voice actor, providing the voice of several memorable characters in a number of classic Disney films. She voiced Lady in "Lady and the Tramp", Kanga in "Winnie the Pooh", Merryweather in "Sleeping Beauty", and many others. Luddy was widely respected in the industry for her versatile talent and her ability to bring life to a variety of different characters. She passed away in 1979 at the age of 70, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in Hollywood.
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Frances Morris
Frances Morris (August 3, 1908 Springfield-December 2, 2003 Santa Clarita) a.k.a. Frances Wright or Francis Morris was an American actor.
Morris began her acting career in the 1930s, primarily appearing on stage in New York City. She later moved to Hollywood and appeared in over 70 films throughout her career. Morris was known for her versatile acting ability, and portrayed a range of characters from comedic roles to more serious ones.
Some of Morris' notable film credits include "Gone with the Wind" (1939), "Jezebel" (1938), and "The Shop Around the Corner" (1940). Morris also worked in television, including appearances on shows such as "Dragnet" and "The Twilight Zone."
Aside from her acting work, Morris was active in various charitable organizations and was known for her philanthropy. She died in 2003 at the age of 95.
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Violet La Plante
Violet La Plante (January 17, 1908 St. Louis-June 1, 1984) also known as Violet Avon was an American actor.
During her early career, Violet La Plante appeared in several silent films in Hollywood, including "The Showdown" (1928) alongside Buck Jones and "Smiling Irish Eyes" (1929) with Colleen Moore. She later transitioned into talking pictures and continued to act in supporting roles in films such as "The Cat Creeps" (1930) and "Murder in the Private Car" (1934).
In addition to her film career, La Plante also appeared on Broadway in productions such as "Present Arms" (1928) and "Follow Thru" (1929). She was also a radio performer, working on shows such as "The Shadow" and "The Lone Ranger."
La Plante retired from acting in the early 1940s and lived a private life until her death in 1984 at the age of 76.
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Penny Singleton
Penny Singleton (September 15, 1908 Philadelphia-November 12, 2003 Sherman Oaks) a.k.a. Mariana Dorothy Agnes Letitia McNulty, Dorothy McNulty, Marianna Dorothy Agnes Letitia McNulty, Penny, Penny McNulty, Penny "Blondie Bumstead" Singleton or Blondie Bumstead was an American actor, singer, voice actor and dancer.
She is best known for her portrayal of Blondie Bumstead in the Blondie film series, which consisted of 28 movies from 1938 to 1950. Singleton began her career as a child performer in vaudeville in the 1920s and later transitioned to film and radio. She also provided the voice for Jane Jetson in the popular cartoon, The Jetsons. Outside of her acting career, Singleton was an accomplished athlete and was a member of the Roller Derby Hall of Fame. She was married twice and had two children. Singleton passed away in 2003 at the age of 95.
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Sally Eilers
Sally Eilers (December 11, 1908 New York City-January 5, 1978 Woodland Hills) a.k.a. Dorothea Sally Eilers was an American actor. Her child is called Harry Joe Brown Jr..
Sally Eilers started her career in show business as a child model before transitioning into acting. She landed her first film role in the silent film "The Red Kimona" in 1925. She went on to star in over 65 films throughout her career, including "The Black Camel" (1931), "Surrender" (1931), and "The Sin of Madelon Claudet" (1931), for which she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.
In addition to her acting work, Eilers was a philanthropist and was actively involved in various charitable causes. She also served on the board of directors for the Motion Picture and Television Fund.
After retiring from acting in 1959, Eilers remained involved in the film industry as a member of the Screen Actors Guild and as a television commentator for the Academy Awards.
Eilers passed away in 1978 at the age of 69.
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Merna Kennedy
Merna Kennedy (September 7, 1908 Kankakee-December 20, 1944 Los Angeles) otherwise known as Maude Kahler was an American actor.
She gained recognition for her performance in the Charlie Chaplin film "The Circus" (1928). Kennedy started her acting career as a teenager on Broadway, appearing in various shows. After her success with Chaplin, she appeared in several silent and early sound pictures, often playing supporting roles. Kennedy retired from acting in the mid-1930s to focus on her family life. She was married to Busby Berkeley, a well-known Hollywood director and choreographer, from 1934 until their divorce in 1935. Sadly, Kennedy died at the age of 36 due to a heart condition. Despite her relatively short career, she made a significant impact on the film industry during the silent era.
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Helen Twelvetrees
Helen Twelvetrees (December 25, 1908 Brooklyn-February 13, 1958 Middletown) a.k.a. Helen Marie Jurgens was an American actor. Her child is called Frank Woody Jr..
Between 1929 and 1936, Helen Twelvetrees appeared in over 75 films. She was known for her leading roles in Pre-Code Hollywood films. Twelvetrees became a popular leading lady in the early sound era, often playing the role of the suffering, self-sacrificing woman who falls for a man from the wrong side of the tracks.
In addition to her film career, Twelvetrees had a successful stage career in the 1930s, performing in Broadway productions such as "The Social Register" and "The Shanghai Gesture."
Twelvetrees struggled with personal problems, including alcoholism, throughout her career. She eventually retired from acting in the mid-1930s and lived a quiet life until her death in 1958 at the age of 49.
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Lya Lys
Lya Lys (May 8, 1908 Berlin-June 2, 1986 Newport Beach) also known as Natalia Lyecht, Natalie Löscht, Natalie Margulis or Nathalie Margoulis was an American actor. She had one child, Joyce Wells.
Lya Lys began her career in Europe as a cabaret dancer and singer. She then moved to Hollywood in the 1930s and became known for her exotic looks and distinctive voice. She appeared in films such as "An American Tragedy" (1931), "Dracula's Daughter" (1936), and "One Night of Love" (1934). Despite her success, Lys faced discrimination in Hollywood due to her European accent and refused to play stereotypical roles. In the 1950s, she left acting and became a successful real estate agent. Lys passed away in 1986 at the age of 78.
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Kathryn Crawford
Kathryn Crawford (October 5, 1908 Wellsboro-December 7, 1980 Pasadena) also known as Katherine Crawford, Kathryn Moran or Katherine Moran was an American actor.
Crawford began her acting career in the mid-1930s in both films and theater productions. She appeared in a number of films throughout the 1940s and 1950s, including "The Big Shot" (1942), "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" (1948), and "The Mating Season" (1951). In addition to her film work, Crawford also worked extensively in television during the 1950s and 1960s, appearing on shows such as "I Love Lucy," "Perry Mason," and "The Twilight Zone."
Crawford was active in the Screen Actors Guild, serving on the board of directors from 1952 to 1967. She was a strong advocate for actors' rights and was instrumental in securing better working conditions and wages for performers. In recognition of her contributions, the SAG named an award after her, the Kathryn Crawford Award, which is given annually to a member who has made outstanding contributions to the union.
Outside of her acting career, Crawford was also an avid traveler and wrote several books on the subject, including "On the Go in Mexico" and "Traveling Solo: Advice and Ideas for more than 250 Great Vacations." She passed away in 1980 at the age of 72.
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Virginia Cherrill
Virginia Cherrill (April 12, 1908 Carthage-November 14, 1996 Santa Barbara) also known as Countess of Jersey, Dollie Virginia Cherrill, Virginia Child-Villiers, Virginia Cherrill Martini, Virginia Cherril or Virginia Child-Villiers, Countess of Jersey was an American actor.
She is best known for her role as the blind flower girl in Charlie Chaplin's 1931 film "City Lights." Cherrill started her career in Hollywood in the late 1920s, appearing in small roles in various films. However, it was her performance in "City Lights" that brought her international fame and critical acclaim. After the success of the film, Cherrill acted in a few more movies before retiring from the film industry in 1936 after her marriage to Cary Grant. In addition to her acting career, Cherrill was also briefly a countess, having been married to the 13th Earl of Jersey in 1932. She was later married to actor George Child-Villiers and Italian aviator Carlo Mario di San Cataldo. After her retirement from acting, Cherrill led a private life and was involved in various charitable organizations.
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Eve Arden
Eve Arden (April 30, 1908 Mill Valley-November 12, 1990 Los Angeles) otherwise known as Eunice M. Quedens or Eunice Quedens was an American actor. She had one child, Douglas Brooks West.
Arden began her acting career on Broadway in the 1920s before transitioning to film in the 1930s. She appeared in over 60 films throughout her career, including "Mildred Pierce" and "Anatomy of a Murder." Arden is best known for her television roles, including playing the sharp-tongued school principal, Miss Brooks, on the popular sitcom "Our Miss Brooks" and as neighbor Lillian Appleby on "The Mothers-In-Law." She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960 and was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1985.
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Raquel Torres
Raquel Torres (November 11, 1908 Hermosillo-August 10, 1987 Los Angeles) also known as Paula Marie Osterman or Paula Osterman was an American actor.
Born in Sonora, Mexico, Torres grew up in Hollywood and started her acting career in the silent film era. She became a star after her performance in "White Shadows in the South Seas" (1928). She also appeared in the film "Duck Soup" (1933) with the Marx Brothers.
Torres was one of the first Latin American actresses to achieve mainstream success in Hollywood. She was known for her beauty and her exotic looks, which she used to her advantage in her performances. After retiring from acting, she became involved in philanthropic work and was a co-founder of the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation.
Despite her success, Torres faced discrimination in Hollywood due to her ethnicity and struggled to find roles as she aged. She died in Los Angeles at the age of 78 from a heart attack.
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Inez Courtney
Inez Courtney (March 12, 1908 New York City-April 5, 1975 Neptune City) a.k.a. Miss Courtney, Mosquito, St Vitis or Lightning was an American actor, dancer and singer.
She rose to fame in the 1920s as a chorus girl in various Broadway revues and vaudeville shows. Inez Courtney also appeared in several Hollywood films, such as "Moulin Rouge" (1928), "The Broadway Melody" (1929), and "The Great Ziegfeld" (1936). Besides acting, she also had a successful career as a singer. She recorded several songs for the NBC Radio Network in the 1930s and was a regular performer on Rudy Vallée's radio show. In the 1940s, Inez Courtney retired from show business and moved to New Jersey, where she lived until her death in 1975.
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Polly Ann Young
Polly Ann Young (October 25, 1908 Denver-January 21, 1997 Los Angeles) also known as Polly Ann Hermann or Polly Ann was an American actor. She had one child, Betty Jane Royale.
Polly Ann Young was born to a family of actors, with her two sisters, Sally Blane and Loretta Young, also pursuing acting careers. She started her career in Hollywood in the 1920s, appearing in silent films such as "The Leather Pushers" (1922) and "Tenderloin" (1928).
Young continued to work in the film industry throughout the 1930s and 1940s, appearing in supporting roles in popular films such as "The Man Who Knew Too Much" (1934) and "The Road to Singapore" (1940). She also made appearances on television in shows such as "Perry Mason" and "The Lone Ranger".
In addition to her acting career, Young was also involved in various humanitarian causes, including the creation of the Mary Blane School for Blind Children in Los Angeles. She was also a founding member of the Hollywood Christian Group, a group of actors who supported each other in their faith.
Young passed away in 1997 at the age of 88 in Los Angeles, leaving behind a legacy as a talented actor and an advocate for those in need.
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Susan Fleming
Susan Fleming (February 19, 1908 New York City-December 22, 2002 Rancho Mirage) also known as Susan Fleming Marx, Susan F. Marx or Girl with the Million Dollar Legs was an American actor. Her children are called Bill Marx, Jimmy Marx, Alexander Marx and Minnie Marx Eagle.
Susan Fleming began her acting career in the 1930s, appearing in several films including "Busy Bodies" and "Hats Off." She is perhaps best known for her role in the Marx Brothers film "Duck Soup" (1933), where she played the role of Mrs. Teasdale's secretary. Later in life, she became a philanthropist and was known for her work with the Desert Samaritans for the Elderly organization. She was also an accomplished painter and sculptor. In addition to her children, she is survived by six grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.
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Lita Grey
Lita Grey (April 15, 1908 Hollywood-December 29, 1995 Los Angeles) also known as Lillita Louise MacMurray or Lita Grey Chaplin was an American actor and salesperson. She had two children, Sydney Chaplin and Charles Chaplin, Jr..
She is perhaps best known for her marriage to actor and director Charlie Chaplin, whom she married when she was just 16 years old. The marriage was controversial at the time due to their significant age difference and Lita's young age, and it ended in a highly publicized and acrimonious divorce in 1927. Despite the difficult end to their relationship, Lita continued to work in the film industry for many years and appeared in several notable films such as "The King of Kings" (1927) and "The Cat and the Canary" (1927). Later in life, she worked as a salesperson for a cosmetics company before passing away in 1995 at the age of 87.
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Helen Badgley
Helen Badgley (December 1, 1908 Saratoga Springs-October 25, 1977 Phoenix) otherwise known as The Thanhouser Kidlet, Helen Badgely or The Thanhouse Kidlet was an American actor.
Helen Badgley began her acting career at the young age of five and went on to star in over 70 silent films. She was one of the most popular child actors of her time and even had a doll made in her likeness. In 1917, at the age of 9, she retired from acting and returned to school. After finishing her education, she worked in various fields such as advertising and insurance. Despite her short career, Badgley left a lasting impact on the film industry and is remembered as one of the most talented child actors of the silent era.
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Anna Sten
Anna Sten (December 3, 1908 Kiev-November 12, 1993 New York City) also known as Anel Sudakevich, Анна Стен, Annel Stenskaya Sudakevich or A. Sten was an American actor.
Anna Sten was a Ukrainian born American actress who worked in Hollywood during the 1930s. She began her acting career in Soviet cinema during the silent film era, and starred in several films such as "The Girl with the Hatbox" (1927) and "The Patriot" (1938). In 1932, she signed a contract with Hollywood studio MGM, and went on to star in films such as "Nana" (1934) and "We Live Again" (1934). Despite her early success however, Sten's thick accent and difficulties with the English language prevented her from achieving lasting fame in Hollywood. She retired in 1953, and spent the rest of her life in New York City.
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Blanche Mehaffey
Blanche Mehaffey (July 28, 1908 Cincinnati-March 31, 1968 Los Angeles) otherwise known as Blanche Berndt Mehaffey, Janet Morgan, Blanche Mehaffy or Blanche Mahaffey was an American actor and showgirl.
Blanche Mehaffey began her career as a showgirl on Broadway and in the Ziegfeld Follies. She then transitioned into acting and appeared in films such as "The Big Broadcast" and "The Women." She was also a frequent guest on radio shows and TV programs in the 1940s and 1950s. In addition, Mehaffey was married to bandleader Orrin Tucker for many years and frequently performed with his band. She eventually retired from the entertainment industry and passed away in 1968 at the age of 59.
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Leone Lane
Leone Lane (November 17, 1908 Boston-March 28, 1993 Los Angeles) also known as Leone Hallie Lane was an American actor.
Lane began her career as a dancer in the Ziegfeld Follies before transitioning to acting. She appeared in over 50 films, including "Curly Top" (1935), "The Little Princess" (1939), and "Ziegfeld Girl" (1941). Lane also had a successful career on Broadway, starring in productions such as "The Ziegfeld Follies of 1931" and "Leave It to Me!" Along with her successful career in entertainment, Lane was also known for her philanthropy work, particularly her support for the Children's Hospital Los Angeles.
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Imogene Coca
Imogene Coca (November 18, 1908 Philadelphia-June 2, 2001 Westport) also known as Imogene Fernandez de Coca was an American comedian and actor.
She found much of her success in the 1950s with her role as host and performer on the television show "Your Show of Shows" alongside Sid Caesar. Coca's comedic style was known for its physicality and quirky characters. She received five Emmy nominations throughout her career and won an Emmy in 1951 for her work on "Your Show of Shows." In addition to her television work, Coca also had a successful career on the stage and in films. She appeared in several Broadway productions and was a regular in films during the 1960s and 1970s. Coca continued performing well into her 80s, and she received numerous lifetime achievement awards in recognition of her contributions to entertainment.
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Evelyn Peirce
Evelyn Peirce (February 5, 1908 Del Rio-August 9, 1960 Oyster Bay) was an American actor. Her children are called Katherine Meyer and Ted Baehr.
Evelyn Peirce began her acting career in New York theater during the 1920s. She later moved to Hollywood and appeared in several films including "The Best Man Wins" and "Our Daily Bread." In addition to her acting career, Peirce was also known for her work as a political activist and socialite. She was a member of the Women's Emergency Committee to Open Our Schools, which helped to reopen public schools in Little Rock, Arkansas during the Civil Rights Movement. Peirce was also a frequent guest at the White House during the Kennedy Administration.
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Dorothy Gulliver
Dorothy Gulliver (September 6, 1908 Salt Lake City-May 23, 1997 Valley Center) a.k.a. Dorothy Kathleen Gulliver was an American actor.
Gulliver began her career in the film industry in 1923 and subsequently featured in more than 100 films between 1923 and 1940. She was primarily known for her roles in silent comedies such as "It Must Be Love" and "The Perfect Clown". Gulliver was also a successful leading lady starring with notable actors such as Laurel and Hardy, Buster Keaton and Charley Chase. She transitioned easily to talkies and was featured in films such as "On the Spot" and "Dixie". Later in life, Gulliver retired from acting and lived a quiet life on her ranch in Valley Center, California.
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Linda Watkins
Linda Watkins (May 23, 1908 Boston-October 31, 1976 Los Angeles) otherwise known as Linda Mathews Watkins was an American actor. She had three children, Thomas B., Elizabeth B. and Adam Hess.
Linda Watkins began her career as a stage actor, performing in various productions before making her way to Hollywood to pursue a career in film. She appeared in over 30 films throughout her career, including "The Parent Trap" and "The Day the Earth Stood Still."
Watkins also had a busy career in television, appearing in numerous popular shows throughout the 1950s and 1960s. She had guest roles on shows such as "Gunsmoke," "Perry Mason," and "The Twilight Zone."
In addition to her work in the entertainment industry, Watkins was also an accomplished painter, and her artwork was exhibited in several galleries. She was also a member of the National Council of Catholic Women and worked as a volunteer for various charitable organizations throughout her life.
Linda Watkins passed away in Los Angeles in 1976 at the age of 68.
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Nedra Volz
Nedra Volz (June 18, 1908 Montrose-January 20, 2003 Mesa) a.k.a. Nedra Gordonier or Baby Nedra was an American actor and singer. She had three children, Edward Volz, Linda Defenderer and Barbara Lee Volz.
Nedra Volz started her career as a singer on the radio before transitioning into acting in the 1960s. She appeared in numerous television shows including "The Love Boat," "Diff'rent Strokes," and "The Golden Girls." She also had film roles in "Moving Violations" and "The Great Outdoors." Later in life, she became known for her role as Miz Emma Tisdale on the TV series "The Dukes of Hazzard." In addition to her acting career, Volz was also an active member of the Screen Actors Guild and had a passion for gardening.
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Marlo Dwyer
Marlo Dwyer (March 25, 1908 Paterson-September 28, 1999) also known as Wilma Francis, Marla Dwyer, Shirley Elderfield Dennstedt or Shirley Dunstead was an American actor.
Born in Paterson, New Jersey, Marlo Dwyer began her acting career in the 1920s working in a vaudeville circuit as a chorus girl. She later moved to Hollywood and made her movie debut in "The Docks of New York" (1928). Dwyer appeared in several films throughout the 1920s and early 1930s, often playing supporting roles in movies such as "The Shadow of the Law" (1930) and "The Dark Horse" (1932).
In the mid-1930s, Dwyer left Hollywood and returned to the vaudeville stage. She also worked in radio, performing in various dramas and comedies. During World War II, Dwyer entertained American troops overseas and became known for her patriotic performances.
After the war, Dwyer returned to Hollywood and appeared in a number of films and TV shows throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Some of her notable roles include the films "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" (1967) and "Charro!" (1969). She also made appearances on popular TV shows such as "Perry Mason," "The Wild Wild West," and "The Virginian."
Dwyer retired from acting in the early 1970s and lived a quiet life until her death in 1999 at the age of 91. She was married twice and had two children.
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Ernestine Barrier
Ernestine Barrier (March 19, 1908 New York-February 13, 1989 Los Angeles) also known as Ernestine Spratt or Ernestine De Becker was an American actor. She had one child, Michael Barrier.
Ernestine Barrier began her acting career in the 1930s, appearing in various theater productions and radio dramas. She later transitioned to film and television, where she had numerous featured roles throughout the 1950s and 1960s. She is perhaps best known for her role as Mrs. Wilson in the television series Dennis the Menace.
In addition to her work as an actor, Barrier was also an accomplished writer and composer. She wrote and composed the music for several musicals, including "The Pied Piper of Hamlin" and "The Red Petticoat."
Throughout her career, Barrier was praised for her versatility and talent as an actor, and for her dedication to the arts. She was a member of the Actors' Equity Association and the Screen Actors Guild, and was highly respected by her peers in the entertainment industry.
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Ruth Hale
Ruth Hale (October 14, 1908 United States of America-April 20, 2003) was an American playwright and actor.
She was born in Salt Lake City, Utah and started her career in theater in the 1920s. She wrote numerous plays, including "The Women's Minyan," which explored the lives of female Orthodox Jews in Brooklyn, and "Men in White," which looked at the daily lives of doctors. Hale also acted in a variety of plays, films, and television shows throughout her career. She was a feminist and advocate for women's rights, often incorporating these themes into her work. Hale co-founded the all-female theater company "The Women's Project" in 1978. She passed away in 2003 at the age of 94.
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Nancy Hamilton
Nancy Hamilton (July 27, 1908 Sewickley-February 18, 1985 New York City) was an American film director, film producer, screenwriter, actor, playwright, lyricist, singer-songwriter and author.
Hamilton began her career in the entertainment industry as a cabaret performer before transitioning to writing and directing for Broadway musicals in the 1930s. She wrote the lyrics for popular songs such as "How High the Moon" and "In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening," and won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for the latter in 1951.
In addition to her success in music and theater, Hamilton also worked in Hollywood as a screenwriter and producer, contributing to films such as "The Affairs of Annabel" (1938) and "Barefoot in the Park" (1967). She was a lifetime member of the Actors Studio and also wrote several books, including an autobiography titled "Who Minded the Baby?" published in 1979.
Throughout her career, Hamilton was known for her wit and talent, and was praised for her contributions to American music and theater. She passed away in 1985 at the age of 76.
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Joan Croydon
Joan Croydon (May 15, 1908 Tarrytown-April 23, 1985) also known as Joan Croyden or Vivian Giesen was an American actor. She had one child, Malcolm Spaull.
Croydon began her career on Broadway, appearing in several productions throughout the 1930s and 1940s. She also made appearances on radio programs during this time. Croydon transitioned to film in the 1950s, appearing in supporting roles in movies such as "Guys and Dolls" and "The Catered Affair". She also made appearances on popular television shows like "Playhouse 90" and "Alfred Hitchcock Presents". In addition to her acting career, Croydon was also a noted acting coach, working with actors such as Rod Steiger and Geraldine Page. She passed away in Los Angeles at the age of 76.
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Lenore Romney
Lenore Romney (November 9, 1908 Logan-July 7, 1998 Royal Oak) otherwise known as Lenore LaFount Romney or Lenore Lafount was an American actor. Her children are called Mitt Romney, G. Scott Romney, Jane Romney and Margo Lynn Romney.
Beyond being an actor, Lenore Romney was heavily involved in philanthropy work. She served on the board of several organizations, including the United Foundation of Detroit and the Children’s Hospital of Michigan. In addition to her philanthropy work, she also became involved in politics. She ran for the United States Senate in 1970 but was not successful. However, her son Mitt Romney would go on to become the Governor of Massachusetts and run for President of the United States. Lenore Romney passed away in 1998 at the age of 89.
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