American movie stars died in 1963
Here are 22 famous actresses from United States of America died in 1963:
ZaSu Pitts
ZaSu Pitts (January 3, 1894 Parsons-June 7, 1963 Hollywood) also known as Zazu Pitts, Eliza Susan Pitts, Zasu Pitts or ZaSu was an American actor. Her children are called Ann Gallery and Donald Michael Gallery.
ZaSu Pitts started her acting career in silent films in the 1910s and became known for her comedic roles. She appeared in more than 200 films throughout her career, including "Greed" (1924), "Eraserhead" (1977), and "Life with Father" (1947). However, in the 1930s, as talkies took over, her career slowed down. She also appeared in various television shows during the 1950s and 1960s. Outside of her acting career, ZaSu was known for her unique voice and distinctive look, with her large, expressive eyes and petite frame. Additionally, she was a talented artist and her artwork was displayed in galleries across the country. Despite facing various challenges in her personal life, including the loss of her first husband during WWII, ZaSu continued to work in show business until her passing in 1963.
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Elise Cavanna
Elise Cavanna (January 30, 1902 Pennsylvania-May 12, 1963 Hollywood) also known as Alyse Seeds or Elise Seeds was an American actor, comedian, dancer and artist.
Cavanna started her career as a dancer in New York City but soon moved to Hollywood where she became a comedian and actor. She appeared in over 60 films and television shows in her career. She was known for her talent in physical comedy and her collaborations with well-known comedy duos like The Three Stooges and Laurel and Hardy. Cavanna also had a passion for art and was an accomplished painter whose works were exhibited in galleries across the United States. Despite her success, Cavanna struggled with health issues and addiction throughout her life. She died in 1963 at the age of 61.
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Dorothy Short
Dorothy Short (June 29, 1915 Philadelphia-June 4, 1963 Los Angeles) a.k.a. Mrs. Dave O'Brien, Short or Dorothy was an American actor. She had two children, Pam Fronabarger and Patty Fronabarger.
She began her acting career in the late 1920s, and was cast in several films throughout the 1930s, including playing the lead role in the famous 1936 exploitation film, "Reefer Madness". Short later transitioned to television, with appearances in popular shows such as "Perry Mason" and "The Lone Ranger". Despite her success, Short retired from acting in the mid-1950s to focus on her family. In addition to her acting career, she also worked as a Hollywood talent agent. Tragically, Short passed away in 1963 at the age of 47 due to a heart attack.
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Maude George
Maude George (August 15, 1888 Riverside-October 10, 1963 Sepulveda) also known as Maude Forde, Maude Ford, Maud George, Mrs. Maude Ford or Mrs. Maude Forde was an American actor.
Maude George appeared in over 100 films during her career, starting in silent films in the 1910s and then transitioning into "talkies" in the 1930s. She often played maternal roles or tough, no-nonsense women. Some of her notable films include "Hallelujah" (1929), "The Public Enemy" (1931), and "The Grapes of Wrath" (1940). George was also a prolific stage actor, appearing on Broadway in the 1920s and 1930s. In addition to her acting career, she was also an accomplished writer, penning several plays and essays.
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Marian Skinner
Marian Skinner (January 8, 1880 New York City-June 7, 1963 San Francisco) a.k.a. Marion Skinner was an American actor.
She appeared in over 70 films during the silent and early sound eras, including "The General" (1926) and "The Gold Rush" (1925) co-starring with Charlie Chaplin. She began her career on stage in 1901, appearing in various plays and musicals. Skinner became a prominent character actress in Hollywood in the 1920s and 1930s. She retired from acting in 1940 and returned to New York, where she lived until her death in 1963.
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Christine Mayo
Christine Mayo (November 27, 1884-November 27, 1963) also known as Chrystine Mayo or Miss Mayo was an American actor.
She was born in New York City and began her acting career in the early 1900s on Broadway. Mayo appeared in several silent films and made a successful transition to talking pictures in the 1930s. She was known for her roles in films such as "The Bells" (1926) and "The Bat Whispers" (1930). Mayo was also a regular on the radio program "The Goldbergs" in the 1930s and 1940s. She retired from acting in the 1950s and passed away in New York City in 1963 on her 79th birthday.
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Mary Gordon
Mary Gordon (May 16, 1882 Glasgow-August 23, 1963 Pasadena) also known as Mary Gilmour or Mary Grace Gordon was an American actor. She had one child, Mary Gordon.
Mary Gordon was born as Mary Gilmour in Glasgow, Scotland in 1882 before immigrating to the United States with her family when she was only two years old. She grew up in the Washington Heights neighborhood of New York City and began her acting career on the stage in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She later transitioned to film and appeared in over 270 movies throughout her career, often playing roles as maids, landladies, or other supporting characters.
Gordon's most famous roles were in the films of director John Ford, with whom she worked on 11 films including "The Informer" (1935), "Stagecoach" (1939), and "The Quiet Man" (1952). She was known for her sharp wit and impeccable comic timing, and was beloved by both her fellow actors and audiences alike.
Gordon continued acting into her 80s, and in 1952, she was awarded with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She passed away in Pasadena, California in 1963 at the age of 81. Her daughter, also named Mary Gordon, followed in her mother's footsteps and became an actor as well, appearing in several television shows and movies in the 1950s and 60s.
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Jean Brooks
Jean Brooks (December 23, 1915 Houston-November 25, 1963 Richmond) a.k.a. Ruby M. Kelly, Jeanne Kelly or Robina Duarte was an American actor and singer.
She began her career as a stage actress and singer during the 1930s, appearing in several popular Broadway productions. Brooks later transitioned to film, making her debut in the 1940 movie "The Man I Married". She appeared in a number of films throughout the 1940s and 1950s, making notable contributions to films like "The Seventh Victim" (1943) and "The Leopard Man" (1943).
Despite her seemingly successful career on Broadway and in film, Brooks was known to be quite reclusive and often declined interviews and public appearances. It was said that she suffered from depression and alcoholism, which may have contributed to her decision to distance herself from the public eye.
Tragically, Brooks died in 1963 at the young age of 47 due to complications from a heart attack. Her contributions to the entertainment industry have since been recognized with posthumous honors, including induction into the Texas Film Hall of Fame.
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Sharon Lynn
Sharon Lynn (April 9, 1901 Weatherford-May 26, 1963 Hollywood) otherwise known as D'Auvergne Sharon Lindsay, Lindsay La Verne or Sharon Lynne was an American actor.
Sharon Lynn began her career in vaudeville and made her Broadway debut in 1920. She appeared in a number of stage shows before transitioning to film in the mid-1920s. She appeared in over 50 films, often playing comedic or supporting roles. She is perhaps best known for her role as Mrs. Bailey in the Christmas classic "It's a Wonderful Life" (1946). In addition to her work on stage and screen, Lynn was also an accomplished radio actress, appearing in numerous programs throughout the 1930s and 1940s. She passed away in Hollywood in 1963 at the age of 62.
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Rosemary Davies
Rosemary Davies (June 15, 1903 Brooklyn-September 20, 1963 Bel-Air) also known as Rose Davies or Rose Douras was an American actor.
She began her career as a stage actress and later transitioned to film in the 1920s. She appeared in several silent films including "The Ten Commandments" (1923) and "The King of Kings" (1927). In the 1930s, she continued acting in supporting roles in films such as "Little Women" (1933) and "The Adventures of Robin Hood" (1938). Rosemary Davies was also married to film producer Hal B. Wallis from 1931 until her death in 1963.
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Barbara Read
Barbara Read (December 29, 1917 Port Arthur-December 12, 1963 Laguna Beach) a.k.a. Barbara Reed was an American actor. She had two children, William Whitney Talman III and Barbie Talman.
Read began her acting career in 1939, appearing in the film "Charlie Chan in Reno." She went on to appear in numerous films throughout the 1940s, including "The Sea Hawk" and "Sahara." In the 1950s, she transitioned to television, appearing in shows such as "Dragnet" and "The Lone Ranger."
Despite her success in the entertainment industry, Read's personal life was troubled. She struggled with alcoholism and her marriage to actor William Talman was rocky. Talman filed for divorce in 1955, but the couple ultimately reconciled.
Tragically, Read died in 1963 at the age of 45 due to complications from alcoholism.
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Wanda Hawley
Wanda Hawley (July 30, 1895 Scranton-March 18, 1963 Los Angeles) also known as Wanda Petit or Selma Wanda Pittack was an American actor and singer.
She began her career in the entertainment industry as a vaudeville performer, performing in theaters across the United States. In 1918, she was signed by Paramount Pictures and began appearing in silent films. Hawley quickly became a popular leading lady and was often paired with some of the biggest male stars of the era, including Douglas Fairbanks Sr., Rudolph Valentino, and Wallace Reid.
She starred in more than 70 films during her career, including "Evangeline" (1919), "The Affairs of Anatol" (1921), and "Under Two Flags" (1922). Hawley was known for her beauty, talent, and versatility on screen, as she could play dramatic roles as well as comedic ones.
In addition to her acting career, Hawley was also a talented singer and recorded several songs during the 1920s. She retired from acting in 1931 and lived a quiet life in Los Angeles until her death in 1963 at the age of 67. Despite her success in the early days of Hollywood, she is often overlooked in discussions of silent film stars.
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Marion Sunshine
Marion Sunshine (May 15, 1894 Louisville-January 25, 1963 New York City) a.k.a. Marion Tunstall Ijames or The Rumba Lady was an American actor, songwriter and lyricist.
Born in Kentucky, Marion Sunshine was raised in Philadelphia and began her career as a child performer. She was trained in dance and music, playing multiple instruments including the piano and saxophone. In her early career, she wrote songs for, and performed in, Vaudeville shows.
Sunshine moved to New York City in the mid-1920s and became known as "The Rumba Lady" due to her popular song "The Rumba Love" which she performed in nightclubs and on radio shows. She gained national attention in the 1930s with her appearances on the popular radio show "The Maxwell House Show Boat".
In addition to her performing career, Sunshine also wrote the lyrics for several popular songs including "My Canary Has Circles Under His Eyes" and "Underneath the Harlem Moon". She appeared in several Hollywood movies including "Meet the People" and "You Can't Take It with You".
Marion Sunshine continued to perform and write music until her death in 1963 in New York City.
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Beverly Wills
Beverly Wills (June 7, 1933 Los Angeles-October 24, 1963 Palm Springs) a.k.a. Beverly Josephine Williams was an American actor. She had two children, Guy Grossman and Larry Grossman.
After graduating from Hollywood High School, Beverly began her acting career with small roles in films such as "Dear Brat" and "The Big Heat." She later gained recognition for her work in television shows like "I Married Joan," "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet," and "Bachelor Father." Beverly also appeared in the films "Slightly Scarlet" and "Thundering Jets." She was married to actor Roger Smith from 1956 until her death in 1963 from ovarian cancer at the age of 30. In her memory, Smith established The Beverly Wills Foundation to support cancer research.
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Molly Kazan
Molly Kazan (December 16, 1906 Orange-December 14, 1963 New York City) a.k.a. Mary Day Thacher (Molly) Kazan, Molly Day Thacher or Molly Day Thatcher was an American playwright and actor. She had four children, Katharine Kazan, Chris Kazan, Judy Kazan and Nicholas Kazan.
Kazan was born in Orange, New Jersey and grew up in Connecticut. She attended Vassar College, where she studied drama and eventually started writing plays. Her plays, which often dealt with the theme of human relationships, were well-received by critics and audiences alike.
In addition to her work as a playwright, Kazan also acted in a number of films and television shows throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Some of her most notable roles include appearances in "East of Eden" (1955), "Wild River" (1960), and "The Pleasure of His Company" (1961).
Kazan's personal life was marked by tragedy, including the death of her 21-year-old son, Chris Kazan, in a car accident in 1955. Kazan herself passed away in 1963 at the age of 56 after suffering a heart attack. Despite her relatively short life and career, Kazan left a significant mark on the world of American theater and film.
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Gina Malo
Gina Malo (June 1, 1909 Cincinnati-November 30, 1963 New York City) also known as Janet Flynn was an American actor.
She began her career on Broadway and later transitioned to film, making her debut in the 1933 film "Everything's Relative". Malo went on to appear in several notable films throughout the 1930s and 1940s, including "The Lone Wolf Strikes" (1940) and "The Glass Key" (1942).
In addition to her acting career, Malo was also a skilled dancer and appeared in several musicals on Broadway, such as "Du Barry Was a Lady" and "Mexican Hayride". She was known for her grace and versatility as a performer.
Malo's personal life was marked by tragedy, including the death of her first husband in a plane crash and her own battle with cancer. However, she continued to work in the entertainment industry until her death in 1963 at the age of 54.
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Luana Walters
Luana Walters (July 22, 1912 Los Angeles-May 19, 1963 Los Angeles) a.k.a. June Walters, Luanna Walters or Susan Walters was an American actor.
She began her career as a child actor in the silent film era and continued working in the film industry throughout the 1930s and 1940s. She appeared in over 70 films during her career, often playing supporting roles as the sister or girlfriend of the main character. Walters also had appearances in many popular TV shows of the time such as Perry Mason, Dragnet and I Love Lucy. In addition to her acting career, she was also a beauty queen and was crowned Miss Los Angeles in 1930. Walters struggled with alcoholism for many years and passed away at the age of 50 from complications related to the disease.
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Evelyn Francisco
Evelyn Francisco (August 13, 1904 Little Rock-January 27, 1963 Corona) was an American actor.
She broke into films in the late 1920s and was known for her supporting roles in several notable films of the 1930s and 1940s, including "Gone with the Wind," "The Women," and "The Sea Hawk." Francisco also appeared on stage, in television, and on radio throughout her career. In addition to her acting work, she was an accomplished musician and singer, and recorded several songs in the 1930s. She was married twice, including to fellow actor Vinton Hayworth, and had one daughter. In her later years, Francisco battled a number of health issues, including diabetes and heart disease, and died at the age of 58.
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Fay Holderness
Fay Holderness (April 16, 1881 Oconto-May 13, 1963 Santa Monica) a.k.a. Fay MacMurray was an American actor.
She began her career on stage before transitioning to film. She appeared in over 100 films in her career, mostly in supporting roles. Some of her more notable film appearances include "The Big Sleep," "Adam's Rib," and "The Thin Man Goes Home." In addition to her work in film, she also made appearances on radio and television. Fay was married to actor Robert W. Ramsey until his death in 1950.
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Karyn Kupcinet
Karyn Kupcinet (March 6, 1941 Chicago-November 28, 1963 West Hollywood) a.k.a. Roberta Lynn Kupcinet, Tammy Windsor or Cookie was an American actor.
Karyn Kupcinet was the daughter of Chicago sports journalist Irv Kupcinet. She began her career in the entertainment industry in 1959, with a role in the film "The Little Shop of Horrors". She went on to appear in various TV shows, including "Perry Mason", "Hawaiian Eye", and "The Donna Reed Show".
Unfortunately, Karyn Kupcinet's life was cut short at the age of 22. She was found dead in her apartment in West Hollywood, along with her boyfriend, reportedly from drug overdose. The cause of her death remains a mystery and her case was never solved. Her tragic death shocked the entertainment industry and her family, with her father continuing to investigate the circumstances of her death until his own passing in 2003.
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Anita King
Anita King (August 14, 1884 Michigan City-June 10, 1963 Hollywood) otherwise known as Anna Keppen or The Paramount Girl was an American race car driver, actor and model.
She began her career as a race car driver in the early 1900s, competing in local races and winning several events. In 1910, she switched her focus to acting and modeling, and quickly gained popularity for her beauty and talent.
King appeared in several silent films during the 1910s and 1920s, including "The Speed Demon" and "The Love Expert". She was known for her comedic acting style and often played the role of the spunky heroine. In addition to her film work, she continued to model for various magazines and advertisements.
After retiring from acting in the 1920s, King worked as a talent manager for several years before moving to New York City to run a successful dress shop. She remained active in the entertainment industry throughout her life, and was involved in several charities and philanthropic organizations. King passed away in Hollywood in 1963 at the age of 78.
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Jane Gail
Jane Gail (August 16, 1890 Salem-January 30, 1963 St. Petersburg) also known as Ethel S. Magee was an American actor.
She began her acting career in 1912 and appeared in over 100 films throughout her career. Gail was a popular leading lady of the silent film era and was often paired onscreen with popular actors such as William S. Hart and Tom Mix. In the early 1920s, she signed a lucrative contract with Fox Film Corporation.
Gail was known for her versatility and ability to play a variety of roles, from dramatic to comedic. She was considered one of the most beautiful actresses of her time and was often compared to fellow silent film star Mary Pickford.
In addition to her film career, Gail was also an accomplished stage actress and performed on Broadway. She retired from acting in the mid-1930s and went on to run her own successful business.
Gail passed away in 1963 at the age of 72. She is interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.
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