Gloria Blondell
Gloria Blondell | |
|---|---|
 Blondell as Honeybee Gillis in the 1950s sitcom The Life of Riley | |
| Born | August 16, 1915[1] New York City, U.S. |
| Died | March 25, 1986 (aged 70) Santa Monica, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1916–1962 |
| Spouses | |
| Relatives | Joan Blondell (sister) |
Gloria Blondell (August 16, 1915 – March 25, 1986) was a stage, film, and television actress who was the younger sister of actress Joan Blondell.[2]
Family
Blondell was born into a vaudeville family. Her parents and siblings, Edward Jr. and
Stage
Gloria Blondell said that she first went on stage when she was 9 months old, and she was described as "a trouper at three [years of age]."[3] Her family comprised a vaudeville troupe, the "Bouncing Blondells", whose members were her parents, her sister and her brother.[11] In 1935, she appeared in the Broadway production of Three Men on a Horse at the Playhouse in New York City.[12]
Radio
Gloria Blondell was a popular featured actress during the Golden Age of Radio. Blondell had the role of secretary Jerry Booker on I Love a Mystery.[13] Her appearances on radio include The Adventures of Philip Marlowe; Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar; Lux Radio Theatre; Arch Oboler's Plays; Richard Diamond, Private Detective; Screen Directors Playhouse, and The Great Gildersleeve.[citation needed]
Film
Blondell co-starred with Ronald Reagan in Accidents Will Happen (1938)[14] and with Hans Conried in The Twonky (1953).[15] She was also in Daredevil Drivers (1938)[16] and Three Sappy People (1939).
Television
In her television performances, Blondell may be best remembered for her role as Honeybee Gillis in the 1950s sitcom starring William Bendix, The Life of Riley. She was cast in that series opposite Tom D'Andrea as her husband, Jim Gillis. She appeared in the I Love Lucy episode "The Anniversary Present" (1952).
She portrayed an aging prostitute who rescues a town from a trio of criminals in "The Looters", an episode of
Voice-over
For
Personal life
She married film producer Albert R. Broccoli on July 26, 1940; they divorced August 7, 1945.[17] The following year, on September 14, she married Victor Hunter in Monterey, California.[18] They remained married until his death in 1980, just weeks after her sister's death.[19] Gloria and Victor had one daughter, who was born prematurely and died at birth. During the child's delivery, Gloria also nearly died from blood loss, but her life was saved by an emergency hysterectomy.[19]: 148
Death
Blondell died at age 70 in 1986 in Santa Monica, California from cancer. Her body was cremated.[1]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1938 | Daredevil Drivers | Lucy McAuliffe aka Lucy Mack | |
| Accidents Will Happen | Patricia Carmody | ||
| Four's a Crowd | Lansford's 1st Secretary | ||
| Juvenile Court | Gary's Secretary | Uncredited | |
| The Spider's Web | Chase's Secretary | Serial, Uncredited | |
| The Lady Objects | Grace | Uncredited | |
| 1941 | Model Wife | Gloria | Uncredited |
| 1952 | Don't Bother to Knock | Janie – Cafe Photographer | Uncredited |
| 1953 | White Lightning | Ann Garfield | |
| The Twonky | Lady Bill Collector | ||
| 1957 | God Is My Partner | Tree Critic / Wife | Uncredited |
References
- ^ ISBN 978-1476625997– via Google Books.
- Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Belser, Emily (February 2, 1956). "Gloria Blondell Finding Sister's Shadow A Burden". Corsicana Daily Sun. p. 19.
- ^ "[Unknown]". The Republic. Columbus, Indiana. October 7, 1971. p. 26. Archived from the original on February 16, 2018.
The Katzenjammer Kids will be presented in Franklin this evening, the company having passed through here this morning on the way to that place. "Eddie Blondell's true name is Levi Bluestein, and he was a resident of Columbus many years ago, living with his father at the foot of Washington Street
- ^ "[Unknown]". The Republic. Columbus, Indiana. January 29, 1906. p. 1. Archived from the original on February 16, 2018.
No allowance was made for alimony, but Mrs. Blondell seemed to be satisfied. The Blondells, who in private life were Mr. and Mrs. Levi Bluestein, have been annoyed by a case of incompatibility of temper for a long time. They were formerly a member of Katzenjammer Kids' company...
- ^ "Blondell and Fennessy's hurricane of fun and frolic, The Katzenjammer Kids". loc.gov. United States Library of Congress. Archived from the original on February 16, 2018. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
- ^ "[Unknown]". Variety. November 1916. Archived from the original on March 18, 2017.
Rowland & Clifford, a western producing firm, have also a production in preparation under the title of 'The Katzenjammer Kids', securing the rights from Blondell & Fennessy. Both shows are scheduled to play over the International, with the Hill production to be ready by Jan. 1.
- ISBN 978-1628461817– via Google Books.
- ^ "Grave Spotlight – Joan Blondell". cemeteryguide.com. Archived from the original on January 2, 2016. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
- ^ The Republic. Columbus, Indiana. January 21, 1903. p. 8 Archived February 16, 2018, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Rathbun, Joe (December 10, 1944). "Joe's Radio Parade". Sunday Times Signal. p. 23. Retrieved May 1, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Three Men on a Horse – Broadway Play – Original | IBDB".
- ^ Clark, Ethel (April 5, 1942). "Ethel Clark's Radio Flashes". The Ogden Standard-Examiner. p. 35. Retrieved May 1, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Gloria Blondell Granted Divorce". Kingsport News. August 8, 1945. p. 3. Retrieved May 1, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Gloria Blondell Wed To Advertising Man". The San Bernardino County Sun. September 15, 1946. p. 17. Retrieved May 1, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ ISBN 978-1578069613.
External links
- Gloria Blondell at IMDb
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