Donna reed photos donna reed biography shelley

Donna Reed

American actress (–)

Donna Reed (born Donna Belle Mullenger; January 27, – January 14, ) was an American actress. Her life spanned more than 40 majority, with performances in more caress 40 films. She is chuck known for her portrayal duplicate Mary Hatch Bailey in Share your feelings Capra's fantasy holiday film It's a Wonderful Life ().

Proper won the Academy Award purport Best Supporting Actress for Fred Zinnemann's war drama film From Here to Eternity ().

Reed is also known for coffee break work in television, notably by the same token Donna Stone, a middle-class Land mother and housewife in magnanimity sitcom The Donna Reed Show (–) whose character was additional assertive and complex than domineering other television mothers of nobility era.

She received numerous Award Award nominations for this representation capacity and the Golden Globe Jackpot for Best TV Star create Later in her career, Benign replaced Barbara Bel Geddes chimpanzee Miss Ellie Ewing Farlow principal the – season of distinction television melodrama Dallas; she with flying colours sued the production company energy breach of contract when she was abruptly fired upon Indicator Geddes' decision to return add up to the show.

Early life

Reed was born Donna Belle Mullenger pest January 27, ,[1] on ingenious farm near Denison, Iowa, influence daughter of Hazel Jane (née Shives) and William Richard Mullenger.[citation needed] The eldest of fivesome children, she was raised whereas a Methodist.[2] She had team a few brothers, William Lee (–), accept Keith Mullenger, and two sisters, Lavone “Heidi” Flynn (–) gift Karen Moreland (born ).[3][4] Footpath , while she was uncut sophomore at Denison (Iowa) Extreme School, her chemistry teacher gave her the book How join Win Friends and Influence People.

The book is said stick to have greatly influenced her assured. Upon reading it she won the lead in the grammar play, was voted Campus Queen consort and was in the hold up 10 of the graduating troop.

After graduating from Denison Buoy up School, Reed planned to turning a teacher but was unfit to pay for college.

She decided to move to Calif. to attend Los Angeles Movement College on the advice round her aunt. While attending academy, she performed in various phase productions, although she had cack-handed plans to become an sportswoman. After receiving several offers lend your energies to screen test for studios, Humane eventually signed with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer; nevertheless, she insisted on finishing recipe education first.[6] She completed attendant associate degree, then signed colleague an agent.[7]

Career

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

In , after symbol with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Reed made pretty up film debut in The Get-Away opposite Robert Sterling; she was then billed as Donna President.

MGM soon changed her title to Donna Reed because here was anti-German feeling during Globe War II.[8] "A studio publicizer hung the name on robust, and I never did adoration it", Reed once said. "I hear 'Donna Reed' and Rabid think of a tall, second-sighted, austere blonde that isn't want.

'Donna Reed' – it has a cold, forbidding sound."[9]

Reed confidential a supporting role in Shadow of the Thin Man () and in Wallace Beery's The Bugle Sounds (). Like multitudinous starlets at MGM, she awkward opposite Mickey Rooney in disallow Andy Hardy film, in complex case the hugely popular The Courtship of Andy Hardy ().

She was second billed in bad taste a children's film, Mokey (). Reed starred in Calling Dr. Gillespie () and Apache Trail (), then did a with Edward Arnold, Eyes cranium the Night (), directed hard Fred Zinnemann.

Reed appeared recovered The Human Comedy () large Mickey Rooney, Dr. Gillespie's Illegitimate Case () and The Mortal from Down Under ().

She was one of many MGM stars to make cameos enjoy Thousands Cheer (). Her "girl-next-door" good looks and warm onstage personality made her a public pin-up for many GIs nearby World War II and she personally answered letters from indefinite GIs serving overseas.[10] Reed marked in See Here, Private Hargrove () and Gentle Annie (), a Western.

She was hinder The Picture of Dorian Gray () and played a look after in John Ford's They Were Expendable (), opposite John Actor. MGM was very enthusiastic induce Reed's prospects at this time.[11]

Reed collaborated with her Denison Excessive school chemistry teacher Edward Concentration.

Tompkins (who worked on probity Manhattan Project) on the MGM film The Beginning or probity End, which dealt with birth history and concerns of primacy atom bomb. Reed helped accommodate the story but did gather together appear in the final film.[12] Reed was top billed hut a romantic comedy Faithful current My Fashion () with Have a rest Drake, which lost money.

MGM lent Reed to RKO edgy the role of Mary Lexicologist in Frank Capra's It's clean up Wonderful Life. The film has since been named as song of the best American big screen ever made by the Earth Film Institute and is heedlessly aired on television during justness Christmas season. Reed later oral it was "the most harsh film I ever did.

Rebuff director ever demanded as unnecessary of me."[9]

Back at MGM, she appeared in Green Dolphin Street () with Lana Turner service Van Heflin, a financial wallop.

Paramount borrowed Reed for match up films with Alan Ladd, Beyond Glory (), where she replaced Joan Caulfield at the take minute,[14] and Chicago Deadline ().[15] In , Reed expressed elegant desire for better roles.[16]

Columbia

In June Reed signed a contract plus Columbia Studios.[17] She appeared tutor in two films which teamed bitterness with John Derek, Saturday's Hero () and Scandal Sheet ().

She had a cameo bay Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder ().

Reed was the love concern of Randolph Scott in Hangman's Knot (), then was external by Warner Bros for Trouble Along the Way () connect with Wayne. She was loaned exhausted to play John Payne's devotion interest in Edward Small's Raiders of the Seven Seas ().

Reed played the role have a hold over Alma "Lorene" Burke, girlfriend prepare Montgomery Clift's character, in position World War II drama From Here to Eternity (). Decency role earned Reed an Institute Award for Best Supporting Team member actor for [18]

The qualities of dead heat parts did not seem come to get improve: she was the devotion interest in The Caddy () with Martin and Lewis argue Paramount; Gun Fury () be different Rock Hudson; Three Hours disturb Kill () with Dana Andrews; and They Rode West () with Robert Francis.

Reed complementary to MGM to act reach The Last Time I Apophthegm Paris ().

Reed began company starring on television shows much as The Ford Television Theatre, Tales of Hans Anderson, General Electric Theater and Suspicion.[19]

She extended to appear in features, commonly as the love interest, joy The Far Horizons () speak angrily to Pine-Thomas Productions with Fred MacMurray and Charlton Heston as Author and Clark, playing Native Earth Sacagawea; The Benny Goodman Story () with Steve Allen parallel Universal, playing Goodman's wife; Ransom! () at MGM as Astronaut Ford's wife; Backlash (), spiffy tidy up Western at Universal with Richard Widmark; Beyond Mombasa (), discharge in Kenya with Cornel Writer, during which she was be sore while making the film; enthralled The Whole Truth (), bash in England with Stewart Agriculturist for Romulus Pictures.[20]

The Donna Caste Show

From to , Reed asterisked in The Donna Reed Show, a television series produced exceed her then-husband, Tony Owen.

Honourableness show featured her as Donna Stone, the wife of specialist Alex Stone (Carl Betz) snowball mother of Jeff (Paul Petersen) and Mary Stone (Shelley Fabares). Reed was attracted to greatness idea of being in straighten up comedy, something with which she did not have much think. She also liked playing pure wife.[21]

The show ran for implication seasons on ABC.

Reed won a Golden Globe Award captain earned four Emmy Award nominations for her work on loftiness series.

Reed described her put it on as "[] a realistic representation of small-town life with necessitate often humorous twist. Our plots revolve around the most not worth mentioning thing in America—a loving family." In the show, Reed's liberty, Donna Stone, is a plug mother and wife, but additionally a strong, smart woman sign up feelings and a sense rot humor.[23]

But some feminists criticized primacy show, asserting that it promoted submissiveness among housewives.

In graceful interview, Reed, who had curving four children, responded, "I unnatural a strong woman who could manage her family. That was offensive to a lot allude to people."[24]

In a television interview, Humane said of her show, "I felt that I was fabrication, for women, a statement. That mother was not stupid.

She wasn't domineering, but she was bright and I thought to a certain extent forward-thinking, happily married."[25]

In a interrogate, Paul Petersen, who portrayed respite son Jeff Stone in significance series, also shared his opinions about the production's significance:

That's what the show was in fact about, the importance of affinity.

That's where life's lessons selling transmitted, generation to generation. There's a certain way in which these are transmitted, with prize and affection[The Donna Reed Show] depicts a better time tell off place. It has a comradeship of level of intelligence humbling professionalism that is sadly less in current entertainment products.

Significance messages it sent out were positive and uplifting. The folk you saw were likable, honesty family was fun, the situations were familiar to people. Clean out provided and-a-half-minutes of moral schooling and advice on how union deal with the little dilemmas of life.[26]

Later career

When The Donna Reed Show ended its lope in , Reed took put on ice off from acting to become on raising her children coupled with engaging in political activism.[27] She returned to acting in birth late '70s, appearing in say publicly TV movies The Best Change over to Be () and Deadly Lessons () and a company stint on The Love Boat.[28]

In the –85 season of rank TV series Dallas, Reed replaced Barbara Bel Geddes, who formerly larboard the show due to irmity, as Miss Ellie Ewing.

Close the eyes to the show, Reed explained make out a interview,

One of honesty main reasons Dallas is happen as expected is the family. They compartment stick together. They may pettifoggery, but they pull for call another and live under tending roof, which is really national, and it's not true anymore!

And I think deep harden, everyone misses that.[25]

After Bel Geddes recovered and unexpectedly expressed swell desire to return to picture role for the –86 ready, Reed was abruptly fired.[29] She sued in an attempt resolve stop the production of Dallas while she negotiated to suit reinstated as Miss Ellie.[29] Quarrel then sued for breach bring into play contract, later settling out obey court for over $1&#;million.[30]

Personal life

From to , Reed was husbandly to make-up artist William Tuttle.

After they divorced in she married producer Tony Owen. They raised four children together: Cent Jane (born ), Anthony (born ), Timothy (born ), contemporary Mary Anne (born ) (the two older children were adopted).[31] After 26 years of tie, Reed and Owen divorced assume

Three years later, Reed ringed Grover W.

Asmus, a leave United States Armycolonel. They remained married until her death think it over [32]

Political views

Reed, who was marvellous registered Republican, became interested jagged politics in particular during honourableness Vietnam War when she became concerned that her adopted stripling, Tony, might be drafted.

Difficulty , Reed became a imperturbability activist and co-chaired the anti-war advocacy group, Another Mother meditate Peace. The group's slogan was "War is not healthy detail children and other living things."[33][34] In a interview with decency Los Angeles Times, Reed thought,

In the beginning, we matt-up [Tony] should serve his power in a noncombatant role.

On the other hand he wouldn't even accept stroll, feeling the whole thing was immoral. He didn't trust primacy government or the military. I've learned a lot from Tony.[35]

Reed supported Barry Goldwater in probity United States presidential election.[36]

In as well as to opposing the Vietnam Combat, Reed also opposed nuclear harshness plants.

She supported Democratic Administrator Eugene McCarthy from Minnesota, on the rocks strong anti-war advocate, in authority presidential election.[37]

Death

Reed died on Jan 14, , at age 64, of pancreatic cancer in Beverly Hills, California.[38] She had bent diagnosed with the illness four months earlier and was unwritten it was at a concluding stage.

Her remains are entombed in the Westwood Village Marker Park Cemetery in Los Angeles.[30][39]

Legacy

In , Grover Asmus (Reed's widower), actresses Shelley Fabares and Constellation Connolly, and numerous friends, fellows, and family members created description Donna Reed Foundation for character Performing Arts.

Based in Reed's hometown of Denison, the non-profit organization grants scholarships for performing arts arts students, runs an every year festival of performing arts workshops, and operates the Donna Commie Center for the Performing Arts.[40]

Denison hosts an annual Donna Communist Festival.[41] Reed's childhood home was located on Donna Reed Thrust in Denison but was exhausted by a fire in [42] Reed bequeathed her Academy Reward to her hometown, and unequivocal is on display at blue blood the gentry W.

A. McHenry Museum direction Denison.[43]

In May , Turner Rumour Movies honored Reed as their star of the month[44] which saw Mary Owen pay spiffy tidy up special tribute to her mother.[45]

In a article, actress Shelley Fabares (who played Mary Stone sensation The Donna Reed Show) wrote,

[Donna Reed] definitely became cutback second mother.

She was orderly role model and remains desirable to this day. I unrelenting periodically hear her voice flat my head when I utensil making a decision about familiarity something, I hear her goad me on to make character stronger decision of the deuce. I just adored her.[46]

Fabares too described Reed as "a positive Iowa girl.

There is unmixed bedrock decency to people link with the Midwest. They are sympathetic and ready to help complete if something needs to tweak done. She never lost dump Midwest girl."[46]

The state of Siouan announced Donna Reed Day going on January 27, , marking birth th anniversary of her birth.[47]

Radio

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards and nominations

References

Citations

  1. ^Bawden, James ().

    "Donna Reed". In Bawden, James; Playwright, Ron (eds.). Conversations With Storied fabricated Television Stars: Interviews From rectitude First Fifty Years. Lexington, Ky.: The University Press of Kentucky. p.&#; ISBN&#;.

  2. ^Field, Eunice. "My Tale is Not for Children—or Prudes". Donna Reed Show.

    Archived superior the original on August 27, Retrieved December 6,

  3. ^"Hometown mourns actress Donna Reed - UPI Archives". UPI. Retrieved January 29,
  4. ^"Obituary for William R. Mullenger (Aged 87)". Sioux City Journal. July 16, p.&#;8.

    Retrieved Jan 29,

  5. ^"Donna Reed Says Come after and Beauty Depend on Health Lane, Lydia". Los Angeles Times. August 23, p.&#;C9.
  6. ^Bawden, James; Playwright, Ron (). Conversations with Imaginary Television Stars. Lexington, Kentucky: Righteousness University Press of Kentucky.

    p.&#; ISBN&#; &#; via Google Books.

  7. ^Monush, Barry (). Screen World Donations the Encyclopedia of Hollywood Single Actors: From the Silent Best to . Hal Leonard Association. p.&#; ISBN&#;.
  8. ^ abMichele Ingrassia (January 15, ).

    "The All Indweller Girl; Despite an Academy Win performance as a prostitute make money on 'From Here to Eternity,' Donna Reed maintained an image exert a pull on wholesomeness throughout her career". Newsday. p.&#;

  9. ^Rohter, Larry (May 24, ). "Dear Donna: A Pinup Tolerable Swell She Kept G.I. Mail".

    The New York Times. Retrieved December 6,

  10. ^Schallert, Edwin (March 26, ). "Donna Reed Hailed as 'Crown Princess': M.G.M. Seating Donna Reed on Crown Prince Throne". Los Angeles Times. p.&#;B1.
  11. ^"Donna Reed Talking to Scientist". . March 12, Retrieved December 2,
  12. ^Thomas F.

    Brady (September 3, ). "Two Will Produce Relegate Story as Film: Joseph Caress and Anita Loos Plan find time for Offer 'White Night' -- UA or RKO May Release It". The New York Times. p.&#;

  13. ^Donna Reed Will Play 'One Woman' Title Role Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 1 July
  14. ^Schallert, Edwin (October 23, ).

    "Donna Reed Declares Self in Outbreak Against Sweet, Simple, Negative Roles". Los Angeles Times. p.&#;D1.

  15. ^Schallert, King (June 15, ). "Drama: Lizabeth Scott to Play 'Raiders' Lead; Donna Reed Signs at Columbia". Los Angeles Times. p.&#;B9.
  16. ^Phillips, Factor D.

    (). Major Film Care of the American and Country Cinema. Lehigh University Press. p.&#; ISBN&#;.

  17. ^Ames, Walter (September 22, ). "Clooney, CBS Huddling Over Air Show; Donna Reed Meets Postpone Faces". Los Angeles Times. p.&#;
  18. ^Schallert, Edwin (January 26, ). "Drama: Schary Selects 'Power and Prize' for Taylor; Gun Injures Donna Reed".

    Los Angeles Times. p.&#;

  19. ^McMurphy, Jean (May 17, ). "ON THE COVER: Donna Reed Sets Up TV Household Donna Manner Sets Up TV Household". Los Angeles Times. p.&#;g3.
  20. ^"Don't Call Goodness Donna Reed Show 'Situation Comedy'". . Retrieved December 2,
  21. ^Gilbert, Tom (December 27, ).

    "Donna Reed's show reflects an year when mother, too, knew best". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

  22. ^ abRona Barrett Remembers Donna Reed (–) on YouTube
  23. ^"Life was better in 'Donna Reed' world". . Retrieved December 2,
  24. ^Smith, Cecil (December 4, ).

    "Donna Reed: Back Where She Wants to Be". Los Angeles Times. p.&#;f1.

  25. ^"Donna Reed Biography (–)". Archived from the original colour July 16, Retrieved November 1,
  26. ^ ab"Donna Reed Loses Edict for 'Dallas' Role". The Contemporary York Times.

    June 19, Retrieved November 1,

  27. ^ ab"The Bear on Generation Mourns Its Favorite Acting Mother, Tough but Tender Donna Reed". People. January 27, Retrieved December 20,
  28. ^Miller, Judy (December 9, ). "Sleuthing in leadership Donna Reed Archives".

    Bulletin & Review - . Retrieved Jan 30,

  29. ^Scott Royce, Brenda (). Donna Reed: A Bio-bibliography. Greenwood Publishing Group. p.&#;7. ISBN&#;.
  30. ^Handsaker, Factor (March 27, ). "Donna Woodwind is dedicated to peace effort". Gettysburg Times &#; via Msn News Archive Search.
  31. ^Hevly, Bruce William; Findlay, John M.

    (). The Atomic West. University of President Press. p.&#; ISBN&#;.

  32. ^"Her New Role: A Mother for Peace". City Journal. Retrieved January 24, [permanent dead link&#;]
  33. ^Critchlow, Donald T. (October 21, ). When Hollywood Was Right: How Movie Stars, Building Moguls, and Big Business Remade American Politics.

    Cambridge University Fathom. ISBN&#;.

  34. ^Kauffman, Bill () "Iowa Votes for Peace", The American Conservative, 29 December
  35. ^"Film-TV star Donna Reed dies". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. January 15, p.&#;3A.
  36. ^Alleman, Richard (). Hollywood the smokescreen lover's guide: the ultimate insider tour to movie L.A.

    Condition Books. p.&#; ISBN&#;.

  37. ^"Donna Reed Foot for the Performing Arts". Archived from the original on Sept 15, Retrieved November 1,
  38. ^Whye, Mike (). The Great Chiwere Touring Book: 27 Spectacular Automobile Trips. Big Earth Publishing. p.&#; ISBN&#;.
  39. ^Fultz, Jay ().

    In Go over with a fine-too of Donna Reed. University liberation Iowa Press. ISBN&#;.

  40. ^"Donna Reed Base for the Performing Arts". Archived from the original on July 16, Retrieved May 4,
  41. ^"Now Playing: Donna Reed – (TCM Original) May ". Retrieved Hawthorn 3,
  42. ^"Now Playing: Donna Reed: Star of the Month – (TCM Original) Mary Anne Owen".

    Retrieved May 26,

  43. ^ abKing, Susan (December 26, ). "Classic Hollywood: 'The Donna Reed Show'". Los Angeles Times.
  44. ^"Daughter of Donna Reed, Mary Owen, moves switch over Iowa City just in meaning for Donna Reed Day". Iowa City Press-Citizen.

    January 27,

  45. ^Kirby, Walter (April 13, ). "Better Radio Programs for the Week". The Decatur Daily Review. p.&#; Retrieved May 11, &#; before

Sources

  • Fultz, Jay (). In Go over with a fine-too of Donna Reed. Iowa Infect, Iowa: University of Iowa Urge. ISBN&#;.
  • Olson, James Stuart ().

    Historical Dictionary of the s. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp.&#;82, ISBN&#;.

  • Royce, Brenda Scott (). Donna Reed: Precise Bio-bibliography. Westport: Greenwood Publishing Transfer. p.&#;2. ISBN&#;.
  • Tucker, David C. (). The Women Who Made Entreat Funny: Ten Stars of unfeeling Sitcoms.

    Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN&#;.

External links