American movie stars born in 1920
Here are 50 famous actresses from United States of America were born in 1920:
Frances Heflin
Frances Heflin (September 20, 1920 Oklahoma City-June 1, 1994 New York City) a.k.a. Mary Frances Heflin or Fra was an American actor. She had four children, Jonathan Kaplan, Nora Heflin, Mady Kaplan and Marta Heflin.
Heflin began her career in New York City theater, where she acted in various productions including "A Streetcar Named Desire" and "The Glass Menagerie". She later transitioned successfully to television and film, where she appeared in popular shows such as "The Twilight Zone" and "The Fugitive". In 1963, she received critical acclaim for her portrayal of Laura Wingfield in the Broadway revival of "The Glass Menagerie". Heflin was also a revered acting teacher, and taught at Oxford University and The Actors Studio. She passed away in 1994 due to heart failure.
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Barbara Britton
Barbara Britton (September 26, 1920 Long Beach-January 17, 1980 New York City) also known as Barbara Brantingham was an American actor. Her children are called Christina Britton and Thedore Britton.
Barbara Britton started her career as a model before turning to acting in the 1940s. She made her film debut in "Secrets of a Co-Ed" (1942) and gained prominence for her roles in westerns such as "The Virginian" (1946), "Whispering Smith" (1948), and "The Cimarron Kid" (1952). Britton also appeared in a number of television series such as "Dragnet," "Perry Mason," and "Alfred Hitchcock Presents."
In addition to her acting career, Barbara Britton was also a philanthropist and actively supported various charities. She was married to Dr. Eugene Czukor, a prominent New York City neurosurgeon, until his death in 1969. Britton passed away in 1980 at the age of 59 due to a heart attack.
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Dorothy Abbott
Dorothy Abbott (December 16, 1920 Kansas City-December 15, 1968 Los Angeles) otherwise known as Dorothy E. Abbott or Dorothy E. Diaz was an American actor.
Abbott began her career in the entertainment industry as a dancer before transitioning to acting. She made her Broadway debut in "Cabin in the Sky" and went on to appear in several films such as "The Lost Moment" and "Borderline". Abbott was particularly well-known for her work in black cinema, appearing in films like "Miracle in Harlem" and "Murder with Music". She was often typecast as a sidekick or best friend character due to her race, but was praised for her natural acting abilities. Sadly, Abbott's life was cut short when she died from cancer at the age of 47, just one day shy of her 48th birthday. Despite her relatively short acting career, she made a significant impact on the film industry as one of the few African American actresses of her time.
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Irene Dailey
Irene Dailey (September 12, 1920 New York City-September 24, 2008 Santa Rosa) was an American actor.
Dailey started her career in theater, appearing in productions both on and off-Broadway. She made her film debut in 1951 in "The Mob" and went on to appear in many other films, including "The Right Stuff" and "The Amityville Horror."
However, Dailey was perhaps best known for her work on television. She appeared in a number of popular shows throughout her career, including "The Twilight Zone," "The Fugitive," and "Law & Order." She was also a regular on the soap opera "Another World" from 1974 to 1979.
Over the course of her career, Dailey received numerous accolades for her performances, including two Tony nominations and an Emmy Award. She continued to act throughout her life and was working on a production at the time of her death in 2008 at the age of 88.
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Barbara Berjer
Barbara Berjer (June 12, 1920 Seattle-October 20, 2002 New York City) also known as Barbara Berger was an American actor.
She started her career in the entertainment industry as a radio actor in the 1940s, with her first role being on the show "The Right to Happiness". Berjer later transitioned to television and appeared in various soap operas throughout her career, including "The Secret Storm" and "The Doctors". One of her most notable roles was that of Bridget Connell on "The Guiding Light", which she played for over a decade. Berjer was also active on stage, performing on Broadway in productions such as "Saratoga" and "The American Clock". She was married to actor William Prince for over 50 years until his death in 1996.
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Peggy Lee
Peggy Lee (May 26, 1920 Jamestown-January 21, 2002 Bel-Air) a.k.a. Peggy Norma Egstrom Lee, Peggie Lee, Norma Delores Egstrom, Norma Deloris Egstrom, Peggy Lee, Si and Am, Miss Peggy Lee or Lee, Peggy was an American songwriter, singer, actor and composer. She had one child, Nicki Lee Foster.
Peggy Lee was one of the most popular singers of the 1950s and 1960s, known for her sultry voice and jazz-inspired songs. She began her career as a singer in the late 1930s and soon made a name for herself as a performer with the Benny Goodman Orchestra. Lee went on to record several hit songs, including "Fever," "Is That All There Is?" and "Why Don't You Do Right?"
Aside from her music career, Peggy Lee was also a talented actress and made several appearances in films and on television, including a memorable role in the Disney animated classic "Lady and the Tramp." She earned numerous awards and accolades throughout her career, including three Grammy Awards and induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Peggy Lee continued to perform and record music until her death in 2002 at the age of 81. Today, she is remembered as one of the greatest vocalists of all time and a pioneering woman in the world of jazz and popular music.
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Carmen McRae
Carmen McRae (April 8, 1920 Harlem-November 10, 1994 Beverly Hills) otherwise known as Carmen Mc Rae, Carmen McCrea, Carmen McCrae, Carmen Mercedes McRae, McRae, Carmen or Carman McRae was an American singer, actor, musician, composer and pianist.
She began her career as a pianist in the 1940s, playing in various jazz clubs in New York City. She eventually transitioned to singing and became known for her smoky and emotive vocal style. McRae was a prolific recording artist, releasing over 60 albums throughout her career, and worked with many jazz legends including Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, and Count Basie. She was also known for her interpretations of songs by other artists, including Billie Holiday and Burt Bacharach. McRae was a trailblazer for female jazz musicians and was inducted into the International Women in Jazz Hall of Fame in 1995, a year after her death.
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LaWanda Page
LaWanda Page (October 19, 1920 Cleveland-September 14, 2002 Hollywood) a.k.a. Alberta Peal, La Wanda Page, Lawanda Page, LaWanda or The Bronze Goddess of Fire was an American comedian, actor, singer, stripper and dancer. She had one child, Clara Estella Roberta Johnson.
LaWanda Page began her career as a comedian in the 1950s, performing in nightclubs and theaters. She was known for her sharp wit and ability to shock audiences with her profanity-laced jokes. In the late 1960s, she became a regular on the television show "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In."
Page is perhaps best known for her role as Aunt Esther in the television series "Sanford and Son." She appeared in over 70 episodes of the show and won a TV Land Award for the role in 2005. She also appeared in several films, including "Zapped!" and "Brewster's Millions."
In addition to her work in entertainment, Page was also a devoted practitioner of the Jehovah's Witnesses faith. She often incorporated her religious beliefs into her comedy routines and was known for her outspokenness on religious topics.
Page passed away in 2002 at the age of 81 due to complications from diabetes. She is remembered as a trailblazer for black female comedians and for her unforgettable portrayal of Aunt Esther.
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Beah Richards
Beah Richards (July 12, 1920 Vicksburg-September 14, 2000 Vicksburg) also known as Beulah Richardson, Bea Richards or Beulah Elizabeth Richardson was an American actor, poet, playwright and author.
Beah Richards began her career as a performer in the 1950s, initially appearing on stage in productions such as "Take a Giant Step" and "A Raisin in the Sun". She became known for her powerful acting ability and was praised for her performances in numerous films and TV shows, including "In the Heat of the Night", "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" and "The Bill Cosby Show". In addition to her acting work, Richards was also a published author and poet, writing works such as "A Black Woman Speaks" and "The Black Experience". She was an advocate for civil rights, and her activism on behalf of African Americans and women earned her numerous awards and honors throughout her career. Richards passed away in her hometown of Vicksburg, Mississippi, in 2000, but her legacy as a pioneering African American artist and activist continues to inspire others today.
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Esther Rolle
Esther Rolle (November 8, 1920 Pompano Beach-November 17, 1998 Culver City) was an American actor.
She was best known for her role as Florida Evans in the popular sitcoms "Maude" and "Good Times". Rolle began her acting career in the 1960s and became a prominent figure in the Civil Rights Movement. She was also an advocate for better representation of African Americans in the entertainment industry. In addition to her television work, Rolle was also a stage actress, appearing in several productions on and off-Broadway. In her later years, she continued to act in television and film, and she also worked as a vocal advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness and education.
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Gene Tierney
Gene Tierney (November 19, 1920 Brooklyn-November 6, 1991 Houston) also known as Gene Eliza Tierney, Gene Eliza Taylor Tierney or The Get Girl was an American actor. Her children are called Daria Cassini and Christina Cassini.
Gene Tierney was known for her striking beauty and graceful presence on screen. She began her acting career in the 1940s, starring in films such as "Laura" and "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir". She received an Academy Award nomination for her performance in the film "Leave Her to Heaven" in 1945. However, her personal life was plagued with tragedy, including a daughter born with severe disabilities and the loss of her first husband to suicide after serving in World War II. Tierney later became an advocate for mental health awareness and sought treatment for her own struggles with depression. Despite these challenges, she continued to act in films and on stage throughout her career.
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Maureen O'Hara
Maureen O'Hara (August 17, 1920 Ranelagh-) also known as Maureen Fitzsimmons, Maureen FitzSimons, Big Red, The Pirate Queen or The Queen of Technicolor is an American actor and singer. Her child is called Bronwyn FitzSimons.
Maureen O'Hara was born in Ranelagh, a suburb of Dublin, Ireland. She began her career in the film industry in the 1940s and quickly gained recognition for her stunning beauty and fiery personality. Her breakthrough role was in the 1941 film "How Green Was My Valley", for which she received her first Academy Award nomination.
O'Hara went on to star in numerous films throughout the 1940s and 1950s, including "Miracle on 34th Street", "The Hunchback of Notre Dame", and "The Quiet Man" opposite John Wayne, which remains one of her most popular films. She also showed off her singing talent in films like "The Spanish Main" and "Sinbad the Sailor".
In addition to her successful career in Hollywood, O'Hara was also known for her strong will and determination. She famously sued the tabloid Confidential Magazine in the 1950s for publishing false stories about her personal life and won the case, setting a precedent for celebrity privacy rights.
Later in life, O'Hara became involved in various philanthropic efforts and was a passionate advocate for the preservation of classic films. She passed away in 2015 at the age of 95, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most beloved actresses of Hollywood's Golden Age.
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Nanette Fabray
Nanette Fabray (October 27, 1920 San Diego-) a.k.a. Nanette Ruby Bernadette Fabares, Fabray, Nanette or Nanette Fabares is an American actor, comedian, singer, dancer and activist.
Nanette Fabray's career began at age three when she started appearing in vaudeville with her father. She later became a Broadway star and won a Tony Award for her performance in the musical "Love Life." Fabray also appeared in several Hollywood films in the 1940s and 1950s, including "The Band Wagon" and "Three Little Words." In addition to her entertainment career, Fabray was an advocate for the deaf community and served as a board member of the American Speech and Hearing Association. She also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1989 for her charitable contributions. Fabray was married twice and had one son. She passed away on February 22, 2018, at the age of 97.
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Virginia Christine
Virginia Christine (March 5, 1920 Stanton-July 26, 1996 Brentwood) also known as Virginia Christine Kraft, Virginia Christine Ricketts, Folger Coffee Woman or Mrs Olson was an American actor. Her children are called Danny Feld and Steve Feld.
Christine began her acting career in the 1940s, receiving minor roles in films such as "Brigham Young" and "The Mummy's Curse". However, she is best remembered for her role as the Folger Coffee Woman in a series of commercials for Folger's coffee in the 1960s and 1970s. She became a well-known figure in American households and was later referred to as "Mrs. Olson" due to the character she portrayed in the ads.
Aside from her commercial success, Christine appeared in numerous TV shows and movies throughout her career, including "Bonanza", "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" and "The Twilight Zone". She also had a recurring role on the soap opera "General Hospital".
Christine was married to her husband, Fritz, for over 40 years before his passing in 1987. After her retirement from acting, she remained active in her church and continued to lend her voice to various commercials and voice-over work. She passed away in 1996 at the age of 76.
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Viveca Lindfors
Viveca Lindfors (December 29, 1920 Uppsala-October 25, 1995 Uppsala) also known as Elsa Viveca Torstensdotter Lindfors or Ms. Lindfors was an American actor. She had three children, Lena Tabori, Kristoffer Tabori and John Tabori.
Born in Sweden, Lindfors began her career as a stage actor in Stockholm before moving to the United States in 1946. She quickly established herself on Broadway, earning a Tony Award nomination for her role in the play "Darkness at Noon." Lindfors made her film debut in 1946 in the movie "Nightmare Alley" and went on to appear in over 70 films, including "The Way We Were" and "Stargate."
In addition to her work in film and on stage, Lindfors was a prominent presence on television, appearing in numerous shows such as "The Nurses," "The Fugitive," and "The Twilight Zone." She also made a name for herself in Hollywood as a vocal advocate for feminist causes, and was a founding member of the actresses' collective Women in Theatre.
Throughout her career, Lindfors received numerous honors and awards, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Scandinavian Foundation. She continued to act until her death in 1995, leaving behind a rich legacy of performances and activism.
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Laraine Day
Laraine Day (October 13, 1920 Roosevelt-November 10, 2007 Ivins) otherwise known as Laraine Johnson, laraine_day, La Raine Johnson, The First Lady of Baseball, Nurse Mary Lamont, Sweet Laraine, The Girl Next Door, Miss Perfect Profile, Laraine Jonson or The Girl with the Mechanical Smile was an American actor. She had five children, Chris Durocher, Dana Grilikhes, Gigi Grilikhes, Angela Hendricks and Michelle Hendricks.
Born in Roosevelt, Utah, Laraine Day began her career as a radio actress before transitioning to film in the 1930s. She appeared in over 60 films in a career that lasted until the early 1970s. Some of Day's notable roles include Nurse Mary Lamont in seven "Dr. Kildare" films and Kit Holden in "The High and the Mighty".
Aside from her acting career, Day was also known as the "First Lady of Baseball" for her marriage to baseball manager Leo Durocher. She was a frequent guest at baseball games and events, and even wrote a book about her experiences, "Day With the Giants".
Later in life, Day suffered from Alzheimer's disease and became a prominent advocate for Alzheimer's research and funding. She passed away in Ivins, Utah in 2007 at the age of 87.
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Constance Dowling
Constance Dowling (July 24, 1920 New York City-October 28, 1969 Los Angeles) was an American model and actor. She had five children, Steven Tors, David Tors, Peter Tors, Alfred Ndwego and Michael Tors.
Dowling began her career as a model before moving on to acting. She appeared in several Hollywood films during the 1940s and 1950s, including "Boston Blackie Booked on Suspicion" (1945) and "The Black Arrow" (1948). She also had a starring role in the film noir classic "The Maltese Falcon" (1941) as Joel Cairo's (Peter Lorre) assistant, but her performance was edited down to a smaller role in the final cut.
Dowling's personal life was marked by tragedy. Her first husband, Ivan Tors, was a Hungarian writer and film producer who died in a plane crash in 1983. Her fourth child, Alfred Ndwego, was killed in action in Vietnam in 1967.
Despite her early success as an actress, Dowling struggled with alcoholism and mental health issues later in life. She died of a heart attack in 1969 at the age of 49.
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Maria Karnilova
Maria Karnilova (August 3, 1920 Hartford-April 20, 2001 Manhattan) also known as Maria Dovgolenko or Maria Karniloff was an American actor. Her children are called Alexander Irving and Katherine Irving Stark.
Maria Karnilova was best known for her work in the theater, particularly in musicals. She was a Tony Award-winning actress and worked closely with choreographer Jerome Robbins on many productions. Some of her notable roles include Tessie Tura in "Gypsy," Golde in "Fiddler on the Roof," and Yente in the original Broadway production of the same show. Karnilova also appeared in several films, including "The Turning Point" and "Heartburn." She was married to the late director/choreographer Herbert Ross for over 50 years.
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June Preisser
June Preisser (June 26, 1920 New Orleans-September 19, 1984 Florida) was an American actor. She had one child, Ricky Terry.
June Preisser began her career as a child actress and appeared in several films throughout the 1930s and 1940s. She was known for her energetic dancing and singing performances, and often starred in musicals. Some of her most notable films include "Strike Up the Band" (1940), "Buck Privates" (1941), and "In the Navy" (1941), all of which were popular comedies of the time.
Preisser's career slowed down in the 1950s and she began to focus on her family life, raising her son Ricky Terry. She briefly returned to acting in the 1960s, appearing in guest roles on television shows such as "Perry Mason" and "The Red Skelton Hour."
Despite her relative anonymity in later years, Preisser's energetic performances and enduring charm have kept her films popular among classic movie fans, and she remains a beloved figure in Hollywood history.
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Yolande Donlan
Yolande Donlan (June 2, 1920 Jersey City-) otherwise known as Yolande Mallott, Yollande Mollot or Yolande Mollot is an American actor.
She was born in Jersey City and grew up in Canada, where she began her career as a model and actress. Donlan appeared in several films, including "No Way Out" (1950) and "The Man from Laramie" (1955), and worked with notable directors such as Joseph Losey and Robert Aldrich. She also appeared on stage in London's West End in the 1950s and 60s. In 1953, she married British film director Val Guest, with whom she had two children and remained married until his death in 2006. Donlan currently lives in Palm Springs, California.
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Kathryn Adams Doty
Kathryn Adams Doty (July 15, 1920 New Ulm-) a.k.a. Kathryn Elizabeth Hohn, Kathryn Doty or Kathryn Adams is an American actor, writer and psychologist. She has three children, Hunter Beaumont, Kristy Beaumont and Mark Beaumont.
Kathryn Adams Doty began her career as an actor in the 1940s, appearing in films such as "The Falcon Strikes Back" and "Bells of Rosarita". After taking a break from acting to raise her children, she later returned to the industry as a writer, penning the book "No Time for Tears: A Self Analysis for Women". In addition to her work as an actor and writer, Doty is also a licensed clinical and educational psychologist, using her expertise to help others. She has also been involved in numerous community and charitable organizations throughout her life.
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Noel Neill
Noel Neill (November 25, 1920 Minneapolis-) is an American actor, model, singer and dancer.
She is best known for her role as Lois Lane in the 1950s TV series "Adventures of Superman", co-starring with George Reeves as Superman/Clark Kent. Neill also had a small role in the Superman film franchise in the 1970s and 1980s, playing the mother of Margot Kidder's character, Lois Lane. In addition to her work in film and television, Neill also worked as a model and appeared in several pin-up calendars. She was also a singer and dancer, performing in vaudeville shows early in her career. Neill passed away in 2016 at the age of 95.
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Virginia Vale
Virginia Vale (May 20, 1920 Dallas-September 14, 2006 Los Angeles) also known as Dorothy Howe or Vale was an American actor and secretary.
She began her career in Hollywood in the 1930s, playing small roles in films such as "The Buccaneer" and "The Sap Takes a Wrap." In the early 1940s, she changed her name to Virginia Vale and was signed by Universal Studios. She appeared in several B-movies and was cast as the female lead in the Western series "The Lone Rider" opposite George Houston. After the series ended, Vale continued to work in Hollywood, but mainly in supporting roles. She also worked as a secretary for several studios, including Warner Brothers and MGM. Vale retired from acting in the early 1960s and went on to run a talent agency. She died in 2006 at the age of 86.
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Selma Diamond
Selma Diamond (August 6, 1920 London-May 13, 1985 Los Angeles) was an American actor, screenwriter and comedian.
She is best known for her roles in the television series "Night Court" and "The Golden Girls". Diamond began her career in the 1950s as a comedy writer, working on shows such as "The Perry Como Show" and "The Jackie Gleason Show". She later transitioned to acting and appeared in a variety of TV shows and films. Despite suffering from severe health issues, Diamond continued acting and writing until her death in 1985 at the age of 64.
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Neva Patterson
Neva Patterson (February 10, 1920 Nevada-December 14, 2010 Brentwood) a.k.a. Neva Louise Patterson was an American actor. Her child is called Megan Lee.
Neva Patterson was born in Nevada and raised in California. She attended the Pasadena Playhouse and made her Broadway debut in 1948 in the play, "The Druid Circle." She went on to have a successful career on stage, appearing in numerous productions including "The Seven Year Itch" and "An American Millionaire."
Patterson also appeared in various films and television shows, such as "The Thomas Crown Affair" and "All the President's Men." She received an Emmy nomination for her work in the miniseries "The Great White Hope."
Aside from her acting career, Patterson was known for her philanthropic work. She was a founding member of the American Place Theatre in New York and served on the board of directors for the National Repertory Theatre Foundation.
Patterson passed away in 2010 at the age of 90 in Brentwood, California. She is survived by her daughter Megan Lee.
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Louisa Horton Hill
Louisa Horton Hill (September 20, 1920 Beijing-January 25, 2008 Englewood) also known as Louisa Fleetwood Horton was an American actor. She had two children, George Roy Hill III and John Hill.
Louisa Horton Hill was born to American parents in Beijing, China in 1920. Her father was a missionary and her mother was an accomplished musician. She moved to the United States with her family in the 1930s, where she attended Smith College and majored in drama.
After college, Louisa Horton Hill began her acting career in New York City, performing in various stage productions. She later transitioned to television and film, landing roles in popular shows and movies such as "The Twilight Zone," "Peyton Place," "Hawaii Five-O," and "The Hawaiians."
In addition to her successful acting career, Louisa Horton Hill was a dedicated mother. She had two sons, George Roy Hill III and John Hill, who both went on to have successful careers in the film industry.
Louisa Horton Hill passed away in 2008 at the age of 87 in Englewood, New Jersey, leaving behind a legacy as a talented and accomplished actor and devoted mother.
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Shelley Winters
Shelley Winters (August 18, 1920 St. Louis-January 14, 2006 Beverly Hills) a.k.a. Shirley Schrift, Shelley Winter or Miss Shelley Winters was an American actor. She had one child, Vittoria Gassman.
Shelley Winters was a prolific actor who had a career spanning over six decades. She appeared in more than 120 films, television shows, and stage productions. She won two Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actress for her performances in "The Diary of Anne Frank" (1959) and "A Patch of Blue" (1965).
Born Shirley Schrift, she grew up in a poor family of Russian-Jewish immigrants in Brooklyn, New York. She started performing in theater productions as a teenager and eventually made her way to Hollywood in the 1940s. She quickly gained attention for her talent and striking looks, often being cast as a femme fatale or tough-talking dame.
Aside from her film work, Winters was an active member of the Actors Studio and taught acting classes. She was also a vocal activist for various causes, including civil rights, animal welfare, and AIDS awareness.
In her later years, Winters continued to act and appeared in several popular television shows such as "Roseanne" and "The Nanny". She passed away in 2006 at the age of 85, leaving behind a legacy as one of Hollywood's most accomplished and outspoken performers.
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Phyllis Hill
Phyllis Hill (October 27, 1920 New York City-January 1, 1993 Los Angeles) also known as Phyllis Hill Overton or Helen Phyllis Hill was an American actor and dancer.
Hill began her career as a dancer in the 1940s, performing in nightclubs and on Broadway. She later transitioned to acting, appearing in numerous films and television shows throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Some of her notable roles include appearances in the films "The Big Knife" and "The Intimate Stranger," as well as on TV shows such as "The Twilight Zone," "Batman," and "The Wild Wild West." In addition to her acting career, Hill was also a vocal advocate for civil rights and equal representation in the entertainment industry. She passed away at the age of 72 in Los Angeles, California.
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Rita Corday
Rita Corday (October 20, 1920 Tahiti-November 23, 1992 Century City) a.k.a. Jeanne Paule Teipotemarga, Paula Corday, Paule Croset, The Tyrolean Blonde or Paula Croset was an American actor.
Rita Corday was born in Tahiti, French Polynesia and later moved to the United States to pursue a career in acting. She made her film debut in the 1945 movie "Two O'Clock Courage" and went on to appear in over 20 films throughout her career. Corday was known for her blonde hair, striking features, and accent that lent a touch of continental sophistication to her performances. She starred alongside notable actors, such as Humphrey Bogart and James Cagney, in films like "The Time of Your Life" and "13 Rue Madeleine". In addition to her work on the big screen, Corday also acted in television shows and made appearances on popular programs such as "Perry Mason" and "The Lone Ranger". Corday passed away in Century City, California in 1992 at the age of 72.
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Mitzi Green
Mitzi Green (October 22, 1920 The Bronx-May 24, 1969 Huntington Beach) also known as Elizabeth Keno, Mitze Green or Little Mitzi was an American actor.
She began her career in entertainment as a child performer in vaudeville and on Broadway, and soon transitioned to films. She appeared in over 40 films throughout the 1930s and 1940s, often playing spunky, plucky young girls. Her most notable roles include the title character in "Little Orphan Annie" (1932), Penny in "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" (1938), and as the teenage daughter in "The Women" (1939). Green also had a successful career on radio, appearing on programs such as "The Rudy Vallee Show" and "The Eddie Cantor Show". Despite her early success, her career declined in the 1950s and she eventually retired from acting. She passed away from heart failure at the age of 48.
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Frances Gifford
Frances Gifford (December 7, 1920 Long Beach-January 22, 1994 Pasadena) also known as Mary Frances Gifford or Mary Gifford was an American actor.
Gifford began her acting career in the early 1940s, appearing in small roles in several Hollywood films. However, she gained popularity with her roles in serials such as "Jungle Girl" and "Don Winslow of the Navy." She also starred in the film "Jungle Jim," alongside actors Johnny Weissmuller and George Reeves.
Despite her success in Hollywood, Gifford retired from acting in 1952 to focus on her family life. She was married to James H. Schletter, a former executive at United Artists, until his death in 1990.
Throughout her life, Gifford also had a passion for art and became a successful painter. Her works were exhibited in several shows and galleries, including the Pasadena Museum of California Art.
Gifford passed away in 1994 at the age of 73 in Pasadena, California.
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Virginia Mayo
Virginia Mayo (November 30, 1920 St. Louis-January 17, 2005 Thousand Oaks) a.k.a. Virginia Clara Jones, Ginny or Mayo, Virginia was an American actor. She had one child, Mary Catherine O'Shea.
Mayo started her career as a chorus girl before transitioning into acting in films in the 1940s. She starred in over 40 films throughout her career, including popular titles such as “The Best Years of Our Lives” and “White Heat.” She was known for her beauty, talent, and versatility as an actor. Later in her career, she also appeared in television shows such as “The Love Boat” and “Murder, She Wrote.” She passed away in 2005 at the age of 84.
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Ruth Foster
Ruth Foster (January 29, 1920 Cincinnati-May 12, 2012 Del Mar) was an American actor.
Ruth Foster began her acting career in the mid-1940s and appeared in a number of stage productions, including several on Broadway. She also acted in films, with some of her notable performances being in "Guilty as Sin" (1993), "The Prisoner of Second Avenue" (1975), and "The Last Tycoon" (1976). In addition to her work in acting, Foster was also a writer and playwright. She published several books and plays throughout her career, including "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Film That Terrified a Rattled Nation" (2017). Foster was known for her strong and memorable performances, and her work in both the entertainment and literary worlds has left a lasting impact on American culture.
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Jennifer Holt
Jennifer Holt (November 10, 1920 Hollywood-September 21, 1997 Dorset) also known as Elizabeth Marshall Holt, Jenifer Holt, Jacqueline Holt, Margaret or Elizabeth Marshall was an American actor.
Holt began her acting career at the young age of 16 with a small role in the film "The Amateur Gentleman" in 1936. She went on to appear in over 50 films throughout the 1930s and 1940s, becoming a popular leading lady in B-westerns and lower-budget films. Some of her most memorable roles include "Fighting Mustang" (1948) and "Thunder Mountain" (1947). After her acting career slowed down in the 1950s, Holt moved to England and began a successful career as a script supervisor on films such as "The Guns of Navarone" and "Lawrence of Arabia." She retired to Dorset where she lived until her death in 1997 at the age of 76.
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Nancy Andrews
Nancy Andrews (December 16, 1920 Minneapolis-July 29, 1989 New York City) was an American actor.
She is best known for her work in theater, having performed in numerous Broadway productions throughout her career. Andrews began her acting career in the 1940s, appearing in small roles in films and on television. However, it was on stage where she truly thrived, with her performances in productions such as "My Fair Lady" and "The King and I" earning critical acclaim. In addition to her work as an actor, Andrews was also a skilled dancer and singer. She continued to perform on stage until the end of her career and is remembered as a talented and versatile performer.
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Helen O'Connell
Helen O'Connell (May 23, 1920 Lima-September 9, 1993 San Diego) also known as Helen O'Connel, Helene O'Connell or O'Connell, Helene was an American singer and actor.
She rose to fame in the 1940s as the lead vocalist for the Jimmy Dorsey orchestra, recording hits like "Green Eyes" and "Amapola." O'Connell's style of singing was characterized by her clear voice and precise phrasing, and she was often praised for her ability to improvise and scat sing. She also appeared in several films throughout her career, including "Follow the Boys" (1944) and "Outlaw Queen" (1957). After retiring from performing in the 1960s, O'Connell worked in public relations and as a TV host. She was inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1989.
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Ella Raines
Ella Raines (August 6, 1920 Snoqualmie Falls-May 30, 1988 Sherman Oaks) also known as Ella Wallace Raubes or Ella Wallace Raines was an American actor. She had three children, Christina Eloise Olds, Susan Olds Scott-Risner and Robert Ernest Olds.
Raines started her acting career in the 1940s and appeared in several films including "Phantom Lady," "Tall in the Saddle," and "Brute Force." She gained critical acclaim for her performance in the film noir "The Suspect" and was nominated for the Best Supporting Actress award at the Academy Awards for her role in the film "Hail the Conquering Hero." Later in her career, she appeared in television shows such as "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" and "The Love Boat." Raines was known for her distinctive voice and poised demeanor on screen. She retired from acting in 1957 and later worked as a real estate agent. Raines passed away in 1988 at the age of 67 due to throat cancer.
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Elisabeth Fraser
Elisabeth Fraser (January 8, 1920 Brooklyn-May 5, 2005 Woodland Hills) also known as Elisabeth Fraser Jonker or Elizabeth Fraser was an American actor. She had one child, Liza McDonald.
Elisabeth Fraser began her career in the entertainment industry as a singer and dancer in nightclub revues before transitioning to acting in stage productions. She made her film debut in the 1948 movie "The Decision of Christopher Blake" and went on to appear in numerous films throughout her career, including "The Three Faces of Eve" and "A Hatful of Rain". She also made frequent television appearances and was a regular on "The Phil Silvers Show". Additionally, Fraser was an active participant in the Screen Actors Guild, serving as a board member and chair of the organization's women's committee.
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Helen Walker
Helen Walker (July 17, 1920 Worcester-March 10, 1968 North Hollywood) also known as helen_walker was an American actor.
Walker began her acting career in the 1940s and appeared in several films, including the 1943 film “Brewster's Millions” and the 1945 film “Murder, My Sweet.” She received critical acclaim for her role in the 1948 film “Call Northside 777” and was nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance.
Walker also appeared in several television shows, including “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” and “The Twilight Zone.” She was known for her versatility as an actor, able to play both dramatic and comedic roles.
Sadly, Walker's career was cut short when she died at the age of 47 from cancer. Despite her relatively short career, she is remembered as a talented actor and a trailblazer for women in the film industry.
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Ruth Terry
Ruth Terry (October 21, 1920 Benton Harbor-) also known as Ruth Mae McMahon or Ruth McMahon is an American actor and singer.
She started her career as a performer with the Ted Weems Orchestra in the 1930s, where she was known for her renditions of songs like "I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo" and "Sheik of Araby". Terry later appeared in several films, including "Rio Rita" (1942) and "Follow the Boys" (1944), often playing the role of a singer or performer. She also acted in TV shows like "The Abbott and Costello Show" and "The Red Skelton Hour". In the 1950s and 60s, Terry continued to perform as a singer, including a stint as a regular on "The Arthur Murray Party" and performances on "The Ed Sullivan Show". She retired from show business in the 1970s.
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Doris Merrick
Doris Merrick (June 6, 1920 Chicago-) also known as Doris Simpson or Doris Simpson Lawton is an American actor.
She began her acting career in the 1930s and appeared in several B-movies such as "The Invisible Killer" (1939) and "Pride of the Bowery" (1940). In 1942, she was signed by Warner Bros. and appeared in supporting roles in films such as "Yankee Doodle Dandy" (1942) and "This is the Army" (1943). Merrick took a hiatus from acting in the 1950s to raise her family but returned to appear in television shows such as "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" and "Make Room for Daddy" in the 1960s. She retired from acting in the 1970s and passed away in 2003.
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Kate Murtagh
Kate Murtagh (October 29, 1920 Los Angeles-) a.k.a. Kate Murtah or Kate Murtaugh is an American actor.
Kate Murtagh is best known for her work on stage and television. She began her career in the 1950s, appearing in several Broadway productions including "The Desk Set," "The Emperor's Clothes," and "A Shot in the Dark." Murtagh also had a prolific career in television, appearing in popular shows like "The Twilight Zone," "Perry Mason," and "Bewitched."
Later in her career, Murtagh found success as a character actor in movies. She appeared in films such as "Happy Birthday, Wanda June," "The Cat from Outer Space," and "The Fog." Despite retiring from acting in the 1990s, Murtagh remains a beloved figure in the entertainment industry, known for her dedication to her craft and her unparalleled work ethic.
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Yuriko
Yuriko (February 2, 1920 San Jose-) also known as Yuriko Kikuchi or Yuriko Amemiya Kikuchi is an American actor.
Yuriko was born to Japanese immigrant parents and grew up in California. During World War II, she and her family were forcibly removed from their home and relocated to an internment camp. After the war, she moved to New York City and studied dance under Martha Graham, becoming one of the first members of Graham's dance company. Yuriko performed with the Martha Graham Dance Company for over a decade, cementing her place as one of the most important modern dance performers of the 20th century. In addition to her dance career, Yuriko also acted in films and television shows, including "The Goonies" and "MASH." She has received numerous awards for her contributions to dance and the arts, including the Martha Hill Dance Fund Lifetime Achievement Award.
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Constance Moore
Constance Moore (January 18, 1920 Sioux City-September 16, 2005 Los Angeles) was an American singer and actor. Her children are called Gina Maschio and Michael Maschio.
Constance Moore began her career as a singer, performing on radio programs and in nightclubs. She made her film debut in 1937 in the musical comedy "Varsity Show" and went on to appear in over 40 films, including "Buck Privates" with Abbott and Costello and "Atlantic City" with Vera Hruba Ralston. In addition to her film work, Moore also starred on Broadway and appeared on numerous television shows in the 1950s and 1960s. She was also known for her work with the USO, entertaining American troops during World War II. Following her retirement from acting, Moore worked as a talent agent and remained involved in the entertainment industry.
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Joanne Jordan
Joanne Jordan (September 5, 1920 Topeka-July 29, 2009 Calabasas) was an American actor. She had three children, Murray MacLeod, Duncan MacLeod and Melinda MacLeod Patterson.
Jordan began her career in the late 1940s, appearing in many television shows and films. Some of her notable performances include her role in the 1953 Western film "Hondo" alongside John Wayne and her role in the television series "The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin." She also appeared on popular TV shows such as "Gunsmoke," "Bonanza," and "Perry Mason." In addition, Jordan was a skilled stage performer and appeared in productions on Broadway and regional theater productions. Throughout her career, she often played strong, independent women and was well-respected for her talent and professionalism.
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Louise Allbritton
Louise Allbritton (July 3, 1920 Oklahoma City-February 16, 1979 Mexico) also known as Louise Albritton was an American actor.
She began her career as a stage actress and later transitioned to film and television. She is best known for her roles in films such as "The Egg and I" (1947) and "The Furies" (1950). In addition to her work in Hollywood, Allbritton also had a successful career on Broadway, appearing in productions such as "Very Warm for May" and "Hold On to Your Hats". She retired from acting in the 1950s and lived in Mexico until her death in 1979.
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June Hutton
June Hutton (August 11, 1920 Chicago-May 2, 1973 Encino) a.k.a. June Cowan or Elaine Merritt was an American singer and actor. She had two children, Susan Stordahl and Jeffrey Stordahl.
June Hutton rose to fame in the 1940s as a vocalist for the Glenn Miller Orchestra and later as a solo artist. She recorded numerous hits with the Miller Orchestra, including "Jukebox Saturday Night" and "It Must Be Jelly ('Cause Jam Don't Shake Like That)." In 1950, she had a successful solo hit with "Song of the Sleigh Bells." Hutton also acted in several films and television shows, including "The Red Skelton Hour" and "The Jack Benny Program." In the 1960s, she became a popular voice-over artist, providing the singing voice for several characters in the animated TV series "The Flintstones." Hutton passed away at the age of 52 due to complications from cancer.
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Trudy Marshall
Trudy Marshall (February 14, 1920 Brooklyn-May 23, 2004 Century City) a.k.a. Gertrude Marshall, The Old Gold Girl, The Chesterfield Girl, The Lucky Strike Girl, Gertrude Madeline Marshall or Gertrude Madeline "Trudy" Marshall was an American model and actor. She had two children, Deborah Raffin and William Raffin.
Trudy Marshall began her career as a model in the 1930s and became popular as the face of cigarette brands, appearing in advertisements for Old Gold, Chesterfield, and Lucky Strike. She then transitioned to acting and made her film debut in 1940 in the film "One Crowded Night." She went on to star in several films such as "The Devil with Hitler," "Gentleman Jim," and "The Sullivans." Marshall also had roles on television shows such as "The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show" and "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet." Outside of her career, Marshall was also an advocate for animal rights and worked with organizations such as the Los Angeles Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. She passed away in Century City in 2004 at the age of 84.
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Mary K. Wells
Mary K. Wells (December 1, 1920 Omaha-August 14, 2000 New York City) a.k.a. Mary Wells was an American actor and screenwriter.
She is best known for her work in the film industry during the 1940s and 1950s. Wells began her career as an actor on Broadway before transitioning to Hollywood. She appeared in a number of films, including "A Night in Casablanca" (1946) and "The Reformer and the Redhead" (1950).
During the 1950s, Wells also began to work as a screenwriter. Her credits include "The Gazebo" (1959) and "The Parent Trap" (1961). She was a talented writer and was known for her ability to create strong and witty dialogue.
Wells was a trailblazer for women in the film industry, often taking on roles and projects that were traditionally reserved for men. She was also a member of the Writers Guild of America and was a strong advocate for writers' rights.
In addition to her work in film, Wells was also a beloved member of the New York City theater community. She was a longtime member of the Actors Studio and was known for her generosity and kindness.
Wells passed away in 2000 at the age of 79, leaving behind a legacy as an accomplished actor and writer who paved the way for women in the film industry.
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Sally Mansfield
Sally Mansfield (December 13, 1920 Oak Park-January 28, 2001 Westlake Village) a.k.a. Marie Mahder or Sally M. Fallon was an American actor.
She started her acting career as a child in the 1920s under the name Marie Mahder. In the 1950s, she became known for her role as the first female television news anchor in Los Angeles on KTTV. She later returned to acting and appeared in numerous television shows and films including Gunsmoke, Perry Mason, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, The Beverly Hillbillies, and The Brady Bunch. Mansfield is also known for her role as an ex-girlfriend of Elvis Presley in the film "Jailhouse Rock." Later in her career, she became a real estate salesperson in California.
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