Ellen Drew
Active - 1936 - 1960 | Born - Nov 23, 1915 in Kansas City, MO | Died - Dec 3, 2003 in Palm Desert, CA | Genres - Comedy, Drama, Western, Crime, Musical | Height: 5’ 3½”
Talented Missouri-born Ellen Drew was born Esther Loretta Ray in 1915, the daughter of an Irish barber. She worked various jobs (accountant, salesgirl) to support her family until her fresh-faced good looks and high-wattage smile earned her a couple of beauty pageant trophies. Encouraged to try her luck in Hollywood, she was discovered in somewhat typical Lana Turner fashion.
While working at an ice cream parlor, customer William Demarest took notice of her and was instrumental in having her put under contract at Paramount Studios in 1936. Initially billed as Terry Ray, she was groomed in starlet bits for two years until finally given a role she could sink her teeth into in the Bing Crosby musical Sing, You Sinners (1938). Her hair was changed from brunette to auburn (sometimes blonde) and her moniker changed from Terry Ray to Ellen Drew. Brighter roles came her way with If I Were King (1938), which clinched her celebrity, Women Without Names (1940) and Buck Benny Rides Again (1940).
Ellen seemed destined for top-flight stardom, but somehow it didn’t happen. She never managed to distinguish herself among the bevy of Hollywood beauties on display and so remained on the outer fringes for most her career. Despite fine roles in fine movies, notably the Preston Sturges classic Christmas in July (1940) and the Dick Powell starrer Johnny O’Clock (1947), Ellen’s film career went on a steep decline. In the 1950s she transferred her talents to TV before retiring the following decade. Married four times, including writer/producer Sy Bartlett, she left one son and several grandchildren when she passed away in 2003 at age 88 in Palm Desert, California.
Available Films:
Active - 1936 - 1960 | Born - Nov 23, 1915 in Kansas City, MO | Died - Dec 3, 2003 in Palm Desert, CA | Genres - Comedy, Drama, Western, Crime, Musical | Height: 5’ 3½”
Talented Missouri-born Ellen Drew was born Esther Loretta Ray in 1915, the daughter of an Irish barber. She worked various jobs (accountant, salesgirl) to support her family until her fresh-faced good looks and high-wattage smile earned her a couple of beauty pageant trophies. Encouraged to try her luck in Hollywood, she was discovered in somewhat typical Lana Turner fashion.
While working at an ice cream parlor, customer William Demarest took notice of her and was instrumental in having her put under contract at Paramount Studios in 1936. Initially billed as Terry Ray, she was groomed in starlet bits for two years until finally given a role she could sink her teeth into in the Bing Crosby musical Sing, You Sinners (1938). Her hair was changed from brunette to auburn (sometimes blonde) and her moniker changed from Terry Ray to Ellen Drew. Brighter roles came her way with If I Were King (1938), which clinched her celebrity, Women Without Names (1940) and Buck Benny Rides Again (1940).
Ellen seemed destined for top-flight stardom, but somehow it didn’t happen. She never managed to distinguish herself among the bevy of Hollywood beauties on display and so remained on the outer fringes for most her career. Despite fine roles in fine movies, notably the Preston Sturges classic Christmas in July (1940) and the Dick Powell starrer Johnny O’Clock (1947), Ellen’s film career went on a steep decline. In the 1950s she transferred her talents to TV before retiring the following decade. Married four times, including writer/producer Sy Bartlett, she left one son and several grandchildren when she passed away in 2003 at age 88 in Palm Desert, California.
Available Films:
CROOKED WAY, THE DANGEROUS TO KNOW GERONIMO IF I WERE KING ISLE OF THE DEAD JOHNNY O'CLOCK |
LADY'S FROM KENTUCKY, THE MAN ALIVE MAKE WAY FOR TOMORROW MY FAVORITE SPY YOU AND ME |
Trivia:
Developed an alternative to the traditional hot fudge sundae called the “Cinderella”. Made with peach, strawberries, pineapple, roasted almonds, lemon sherbet, vanilla ice cream and whipped cream, it is still served today.
Played the role of Margaret Anderson in the pilot episode of Father Knows Best (1954). Jane Wyatt took over the role when the series began its run on NBC.
Developed an alternative to the traditional hot fudge sundae called the “Cinderella”. Made with peach, strawberries, pineapple, roasted almonds, lemon sherbet, vanilla ice cream and whipped cream, it is still served today.
Played the role of Margaret Anderson in the pilot episode of Father Knows Best (1954). Jane Wyatt took over the role when the series began its run on NBC.
