Gloria Grahame
Gloria Grahame was an American actress born on November 28, 1923, in Los Angeles, California. She had a notable career in film and theater, particularly during the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. Grahame's unique combination of vulnerability and sensuality made her a distinctive presence on the screen.
Grahame began her acting career on the stage, performing in various theater productions in New York City. She made her film debut in 1944 with a small role in "Blonde Fever." However, her breakthrough came with her performance in "Crossfire" (1947), a film noir directed by Edward Dmytryk. Her portrayal of Ginny Tremaine, a woman caught in a web of deception and bigotry, earned her critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Grahame continued to make a mark in film noir, often portraying complex and alluring characters. She appeared in notable films such as "In a Lonely Place" (1950), alongside Humphrey Bogart, and "The Big Heat" (1953), directed by Fritz Lang. Her performances in these films showcased her ability to embody the femme fatale archetype, bringing a unique blend of seduction and vulnerability to her characters.
In 1952, Grahame won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in "The Bad and the Beautiful," directed by Vincente Minnelli. She portrayed Rosemary Bartlow, an actress torn between her love for a director and her loyalty to her husband. The award further solidified her talent and established her as one of the prominent actresses of her time.
Grahame's career continued into the 1960s, with notable appearances in films like "Odds Against Tomorrow" (1959) and "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" (1962). However, as the decade progressed, her film roles became less frequent. She transitioned to television and theater work, including successful stage performances in "The Glass Menagerie" and "The Country Girl."
Beyond her professional achievements, Grahame had a tumultuous personal life. She was married four times, including marriages to director Nicholas Ray and actor Anthony Ray, with whom she had a daughter. Her personal relationships often attracted media attention and added to her complex public image.
Gloria Grahame's contribution to cinema was marked by her talent, versatility, and ability to portray complex characters. Her performances in film noir and other genres showcased her unique presence and made her an unforgettable figure in Hollywood. Gloria Grahame passed away on October 5, 1981, at the age of 57, leaving behind a legacy of memorable performances and a lasting impact on the film industry.
Grahame began her acting career on the stage, performing in various theater productions in New York City. She made her film debut in 1944 with a small role in "Blonde Fever." However, her breakthrough came with her performance in "Crossfire" (1947), a film noir directed by Edward Dmytryk. Her portrayal of Ginny Tremaine, a woman caught in a web of deception and bigotry, earned her critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Grahame continued to make a mark in film noir, often portraying complex and alluring characters. She appeared in notable films such as "In a Lonely Place" (1950), alongside Humphrey Bogart, and "The Big Heat" (1953), directed by Fritz Lang. Her performances in these films showcased her ability to embody the femme fatale archetype, bringing a unique blend of seduction and vulnerability to her characters.
In 1952, Grahame won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in "The Bad and the Beautiful," directed by Vincente Minnelli. She portrayed Rosemary Bartlow, an actress torn between her love for a director and her loyalty to her husband. The award further solidified her talent and established her as one of the prominent actresses of her time.
Grahame's career continued into the 1960s, with notable appearances in films like "Odds Against Tomorrow" (1959) and "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" (1962). However, as the decade progressed, her film roles became less frequent. She transitioned to television and theater work, including successful stage performances in "The Glass Menagerie" and "The Country Girl."
Beyond her professional achievements, Grahame had a tumultuous personal life. She was married four times, including marriages to director Nicholas Ray and actor Anthony Ray, with whom she had a daughter. Her personal relationships often attracted media attention and added to her complex public image.
Gloria Grahame's contribution to cinema was marked by her talent, versatility, and ability to portray complex characters. Her performances in film noir and other genres showcased her unique presence and made her an unforgettable figure in Hollywood. Gloria Grahame passed away on October 5, 1981, at the age of 57, leaving behind a legacy of memorable performances and a lasting impact on the film industry.
Quotes:
"It wasn't the way I looked at a man, it was the thought behind it."
"I remember everything, even the dates. But I don't want others to remember the details, just the image."
"I married Nicholas Ray, the director. People yawned. Later on I married his son, and from the press's reaction you'd have thought I was committing incest or robbing the cradle!"
"I don't think I ever understood Hollywood. Whatever they told me to do, I did. I went to the studio in the morning, stayed on the set all day, then went home, and ate my dinner, and studied my part, and went to sleep."
- Gloria Grahame
Trivia:
Her 1960 marriage to former stepson Anthony Ray, although her longest and most successful union, caused a great scandal in Hollywood, which led to both her career slowdown and a bitter child custody battle with her former husbands.
Unhappy with the tilt of her upper lip, she often stuffed cotton along her gumline to straighten it out. The effect was cosmetically less than flattering and made it difficult for her to speak. A leading man, after kissing her, ended up with a mouth full of cotton.
Reportedly did not get on with Humphrey Bogart during the filming of In a Lonely Place (1950) as Bogart had campaigned for the part of Laurel Gray to be given to his wife Lauren Bacall, which was instead given to Grahame.
Was the 37th actress to receive an Academy Award; she won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for The Bad and the Beautiful (1952) at The 25th Annual Academy Awards (1953) on March 19, 1953.
She has appeared in five films that have been selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant: It's a Wonderful Life (1946), In a Lonely Place (1950), The Bad and the Beautiful (1952), The Big Heat (1953) and Oklahoma! (1955).
Campaigned for the Judy Holliday role in Born Yesterday (1950) and Shelley Winters role in A Place in the Sun (1951).
Unhappy with the tilt of her upper lip, she often stuffed cotton along her gumline to straighten it out. The effect was cosmetically less than flattering and made it difficult for her to speak. A leading man, after kissing her, ended up with a mouth full of cotton.
Reportedly did not get on with Humphrey Bogart during the filming of In a Lonely Place (1950) as Bogart had campaigned for the part of Laurel Gray to be given to his wife Lauren Bacall, which was instead given to Grahame.
Was the 37th actress to receive an Academy Award; she won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for The Bad and the Beautiful (1952) at The 25th Annual Academy Awards (1953) on March 19, 1953.
She has appeared in five films that have been selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant: It's a Wonderful Life (1946), In a Lonely Place (1950), The Bad and the Beautiful (1952), The Big Heat (1953) and Oklahoma! (1955).
Campaigned for the Judy Holliday role in Born Yesterday (1950) and Shelley Winters role in A Place in the Sun (1951).
