Irene Gilbert
Irene Gilbert (born Irene Liebert or Liebeschutz; August 25, 1934 – May 21, 2011) was a German-born American actress and acting school director, who co-founded the Stella Adler Academy in Los Angeles, with actress Joanne Linville, in 1985.[1] She served as the academy's director for around two decades after its establishment.[1][2]
Early life
Gilbert was born as Irene Liebert or Liebeschutz in
Career
She changed her surname to Gilbert when she began her acting career, reportedly because she felt that it seemed "movie-star-esque."
Gilbert became friends with New York City-based acting coach Stella Adler during the 1960s.[1] In 1985, Gilbert and actress Joanne Linville pursued Adler to open a branch of the Stella Adler Academy in Los Angeles.[1]
Gilbert also served as the school's director for 20 years.[1] A fire at the school, which was originally located in a small theater at Hollywood Boulevard and Argyle Avenue, forced the school's temporary closure in 1991. The school's building was further threatened with demolition to make way for a proposed subway line at the time of Adler's death, in 1992.[1]
Gilbert moved and reopened the school in 1994 at a building which was once the Embassy Club, a
Death
Gilbert died, aged 76, on May 21, 2011, from complications of Alzheimer's disease, in Eureka, California.[2]
References
External links
- Irene Gilbert at IMDb