Joan Blondell

American actress (1906–1979) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Rose Joan Blondell; August 30, 1906 – December 25, 1979)[lower-alpha 1] was an American actress[3] who performed in film and television for 50 years.

Quick facts: Joan Blondell, Born, Died, Resting place, Occ...
Joan Blondell
Joan_Blondell_-_1936.jpg
Blondell in 1936
Born
Rose Joan Blondell

(1906-08-30)August 30, 1906
New York City, U.S.
DiedDecember 25, 1979(1979-12-25) (aged 73)
Resting placeForest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale
OccupationActress
Years active1927–1979
Spouses
  • (m. 1933; div. 1936)
  • (m. 1936; div. 1944)
  • (m. 1947; div. 1950)
Children2, including Norman Powell
RelativesGloria Blondell (sister)
Close

Blondell began her career in vaudeville. After winning a beauty pageant, she embarked on a film career, establishing herself as a Pre-Code staple of Warner Bros. Pictures in wisecracking, sexy roles, appearing in more than 100 films and television productions. She was most active in film during the 1930s and early 1940s, and during that time co-starred with Glenda Farrell, a colleague and close friend, in nine films. Blondell continued acting on film and television for the rest of her life, often in small, supporting roles. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in The Blue Veil (1951).

Near the end of her life, Blondell was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Opening Night (1977). She was featured in two more films, the blockbuster musical Grease (1978) and Franco Zeffirelli's The Champ (1979), which was released shortly before her death from leukemia.