Ann Sheridan
Active - 1927 - 1967 | Born - Feb 21, 1915 in Denton, TX | Died - Jan 21, 1967 in San Fernando Valley, CA | Genres - Drama, Comedy, Crime, Romance, Western | Height: 5’ 5½”
Ann Sheridan was born Clara Lou Sheridan, the name under which she was billed in 1934 and part of 1935. At 18 she won a “Search for Beauty” contest, and was rewarded with a bit part in a film by that name (1934). Signed to a contract, she appeared in small roles in more than 20 films throughout the next two years. She changed her first name and, in 1936, switched studios to Warner Bros., which launched a publicity campaign hyping her as the sexy “Oomph Girl.” Sheridan went on to a very busy career in better roles, usually cast as a wise, practical girl; her work in King’s Row (1942) best demonstrated her acting ability and opened the door to a wider variety of parts.
She grew into a leading star who could adapt to any role. She was put into a lot of comedies, many of which were quite forgettable, but the public loved her, and critics began to take notice of her after terrific performances in Torrid Zone (1940) and as the saucy waitress who marries George Raft in They Drive by Night (1940). She was also singled out for another standout performance in Kings Row (1942) with future politician Ronald Reagan. She starred with Cary Grant in Howard Hawks screwball comedy I Was a Male War Bride (1949). As she entered the 1950s, however, her career went into a decline. She was aging -- as was sadly evident in her last film, the turgid Woman and the Hunter (1957) -- and a crop of younger actresses coming up meant her services were no longer in demand.
She moved to New York and took whatever acting jobs she could find, whether on stage or TV. Most soap opera fans may remember her in Another World (1964), but she is best remembered by TV audiences as Henrietta Hanks in the western comedy Pistols ‘n’ Petticoats (1966). Her career was taking off again, but the success was short-lived. Ann died on January 21, 1967, in San Fernando Valley, California, of cancer. She didn’t get to live out her series’ first season. She was 51.
Available Films:
Active - 1927 - 1967 | Born - Feb 21, 1915 in Denton, TX | Died - Jan 21, 1967 in San Fernando Valley, CA | Genres - Drama, Comedy, Crime, Romance, Western | Height: 5’ 5½”
Ann Sheridan was born Clara Lou Sheridan, the name under which she was billed in 1934 and part of 1935. At 18 she won a “Search for Beauty” contest, and was rewarded with a bit part in a film by that name (1934). Signed to a contract, she appeared in small roles in more than 20 films throughout the next two years. She changed her first name and, in 1936, switched studios to Warner Bros., which launched a publicity campaign hyping her as the sexy “Oomph Girl.” Sheridan went on to a very busy career in better roles, usually cast as a wise, practical girl; her work in King’s Row (1942) best demonstrated her acting ability and opened the door to a wider variety of parts.
She grew into a leading star who could adapt to any role. She was put into a lot of comedies, many of which were quite forgettable, but the public loved her, and critics began to take notice of her after terrific performances in Torrid Zone (1940) and as the saucy waitress who marries George Raft in They Drive by Night (1940). She was also singled out for another standout performance in Kings Row (1942) with future politician Ronald Reagan. She starred with Cary Grant in Howard Hawks screwball comedy I Was a Male War Bride (1949). As she entered the 1950s, however, her career went into a decline. She was aging -- as was sadly evident in her last film, the turgid Woman and the Hunter (1957) -- and a crop of younger actresses coming up meant her services were no longer in demand.
She moved to New York and took whatever acting jobs she could find, whether on stage or TV. Most soap opera fans may remember her in Another World (1964), but she is best remembered by TV audiences as Henrietta Hanks in the western comedy Pistols ‘n’ Petticoats (1966). Her career was taking off again, but the success was short-lived. Ann died on January 21, 1967, in San Fernando Valley, California, of cancer. She didn’t get to live out her series’ first season. She was 51.
Available Films:
Trivia:
After making San Quentin (1937), in which they played brother and sister, Sheridan and Humphrey Bogart became friends and began referring to each other as “Sister Annie” and “Brother Bogie”. She was the original choice for Panama Smith in The Roaring Twenties (1939). The role eventually went to Gladys George.
After making San Quentin (1937), in which they played brother and sister, Sheridan and Humphrey Bogart became friends and began referring to each other as “Sister Annie” and “Brother Bogie”. She was the original choice for Panama Smith in The Roaring Twenties (1939). The role eventually went to Gladys George.
