Beverly Roberts

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Beverly Roberts
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
DiedJuly 13, 2009(2009-07-13) (aged 95)
Laguna Niguel, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)Actress, singer, painter, executive
Years active1936-1973
PartnerWynne Gibson (1898-1987, her death)[1]

Beverly Louise Roberts (May 19, 1914 – July 13, 2009) was an American film and stage actress of the 1930s, as well as a singer and painter. She worked as a business executive in the entertainment industry through the 1970s.[2]

Career

Born in

Warner Brothers, starring in her first film in 1936, titled The Singing Kid, in which she appeared opposite Al Jolson. That same year she starred opposite Humphrey Bogart in Two Against the World. In 1937, she starred in God's Country and the Woman, Warners' first Technicolor film, in which she starred opposite George Brent
. From 1937 to 1939, she starred in sixteen films. She and Errol Flynn signed with Warner Bros. on exactly the same day, but she reportedly quit films after losing key parts to other actresses including Bette Davis and Olivia de Havilland.[3]

By 1940, she had returned to singing and stage acting. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, she was showcased in numerous radio and television appearances.

In 1954, Roberts returned to New York City and took up a new career as administrator of the "Theater Authority", whose members comprised the five entertainment unions. The organization exercised jurisdiction over performers appearing at

Laguna Niguel, California
, where she lived out the remainder of her life.

Personal life

Actress

Laguna Niguel, California
) until Gibson's death in 1987.

In 2000, Roberts was featured in the

documentary
I Used to Be in Pictures, which revisited Hollywood's early years and featured interviews with former actresses and actors of the day.

In 2002, Roberts was honored by the "Del Mar Theater" in Santa Cruz, California, and her 1936 film, China Clipper, was shown at its grand opening. That same year she was honored at the "Cinecon Film Festival" in Hollywood.

In one of her last public appearances, on October 18, 2006, she was a guest of honor at the 84th Anniversary of the opening of the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood with Sybil Jason, where she answered questions from the audience after a screening of her debut film from 1936, The Singing Kid, which starred Al Jolson.[5]

Death

Roberts died in her sleep on July 13, 2009, at age 95, in her home in

natural causes. Longtime companion of actress Wynne Gibson, Roberts never married or had children.[6]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1936 Two Against the World Alma Ross
The Singing Kid Ruth Haines
Sons o' Guns
 Mary Harper
Hot Money Grace Lane
China Clipper
 Jean Logan
1937 God's Country and the Woman Jo Barton
Her Husband's Secretary Diane Ware
The Perfect Specimen Alicia Brackett
West of Shanghai Jane Creed
Expensive Husbands Laurine Lynne
1938 Daredevil Drivers Jerry Neeley
Making the Headlines Jeane Sandford
Call of the Yukon Jean Williams
Tenth Avenue Kid Susan Holland
Flirting with Fate Patricia Lane
The Strange Case of Dr. Meade Bonnie
1939 I Was a Convict Judy Harrison
First Offenders Susan Kent
Tropic Fury Judith Adams
Main Street Lawyer Flossie
Buried Alive Joan Wright

References

  1. ^ "Beverly Roberts". The Daily Telegraph. August 9, 2009. Archived from the original on April 9, 2023.
  2. ^ Obituary for Beverly Roberts, Los Angeles Times, July 20, 2009.
  3. ^ "Daily Telegraph obituary for Beverly Roberts". Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
  4. ^ Hollywood Players, The Thirties by Parish and Leonard, Arlington House Publishers (1976), p. 252
  5. ^ "Press Release by American Cinematheque for the 84th Birthday commemoration for the Egyptian Theater". Americancinematheque.com. Archived from the original on September 17, 2010. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
  6. ^ Hodgins, Paul. "Notice of death of Beverly Roberts at age 95". Ocregister.com. Archived from the original on May 27, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2013.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Beverly_Roberts&oldid=1204057455"