Joan CrawfordJoan Crawford (March 23, 1904 — May 10, 1977) was an Academy Award winning American actress. Born Lucille Fay LeSueur in San Antonio, Texas, she was the third child of Thomas E. LeSueur (1868-1938) and Anna Bell Johnson (1884-1958). Her older sister and brother were Daisy LeSueur, who died as a very young child, and Hal LeSueur, who was born September 3, 1902. Her mother later wed Henry J. Cassin (born 1873). The family lived in Lawton, Oklahoma, where Mr. Cassin ran a theater. The 1910 Comanche County, Oklahoma, Federal Census, enumerated on April 20, shows Henry and Anna Cassin living at 910 "D" Street in Lawton. Lucille is five years old. Lucille preferred the nickname Billie, and she loved watching live acts perform. Her ambition was to be a dancer. In about 1916, they moved to Kansas City, Missouri. Henry Cassin is first listed in the City Directory in 1917 and his dwelling is 403 East Ninth Street. While still in elementary school, she was placed in St. Agnes Academy (a Catholic school in Kansas City). Later, after her mother and stepfather broke up, she stayed on at St. Agnes as a work student. She then went to Rockingham Academy as a work student. And in 1922 she registered at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, where she attended for less than a year. She began her career as a chorus line dancer under the name Billie Cassin, eventually making her way to New York City. In 1925, she signed a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer under the name Lucille LeSueur and went to Culver City, California. Starting out in silent movies, she worked hard to ensure that her contract with the studio would be renewed. She was one of the WAMPAS Baby Stars in 1926. A movie-magazine contest was the source of her well-known stage name. The female contestant who entered the name "Joan Crawford" was awarded $500.00. Joan Crawford acted in many theatrical motion pictures over the course of her career, and she also worked in radio and television. Photo of Joan Crawford by Yousuf Karsh, 1948She won the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in Mildred Pierce in 1945, and was nominated for Possessed (1947) and Sudden Fear (1952). In 1929, at the time she wed her first husband, Joan bought a mansion at 426 North Bristol Avenue in Brentwood, midway between Beverly Hills and the Pacific Ocean, which was her primary dwelling for the next twenty-six years. She had four husbands: actors Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. (married June 3, 1929 in New York City, divorced 1933), Franchot Tone (married October 11, 1935 in New Jersey, divorced 1939), and Phillip Terry (married July 21, 1942 at Hidden Valley Ranch in Ventura County, California, divorced 1946); and Pepsi-Cola president Alfred N. Steele (married May 10, 1955 in Las Vegas, Nevada). Joan moved to a lavish apartment in New York City with her last husband, Alfred Steele. He died there on April 19, 1959, leaving her a widow. She then sold her Brentwood mansion and stayed on in New York. Besides her work as an actress, from 1955 to 1973 Joan Crawford was a publicity executive for Pepsi-Cola and traveled extensively for the company. Two days after the death of Alfred Steele, she was elected to fill his vacancy on the board of directors. She was the recipient of the Sixth Annual Pally Award, which was awarded to the employee making the most significant contribution to company sales. It was in the shape of a bronze Pepsi bottle. She proudly kept her Pally next to her Oscar for Mildred Pierce. Joan Crawford died in New York City of a heart attack while apparently ill with cancer. In her will, she gave the two youngest of her adopted children, Cindy and Cathy, $77,500.00 each. But she explicitly disinherited the eldest two, Christina and Christopher, with the phrase "...for reasons which should be well known to them." She was cremated and her ashes buried with her last husband, Alfred Steele, in Ferncliff Cemetery, Hartsdale, New York. After her death, an expose written by the eldest of her four children, Christina Crawford, was published. It was then made into a movie of the same title. For more indepth detail, see: Mommie Dearest. Joan Crawford's hand and foot prints are immortalized in the forecourt of Grauman's Chinese Theater on Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, and she has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1750 Vine Street. Filmography
Television performances
Archive footage
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Joan Crawford's hand and foot prints are immortalized in the forecourt of Grauman's Chinese Theater on Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, and she has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1750 Vine Street. See also: Other Canadian pioneers in early Hollywood. For more indepth detail, see: Mommie Dearest. Some of her motion pictures:. It was then made into a movie of the same title. Fifi D'Orsay passed away in Woodland Hills, California and was interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California. After her death, an expose written by the eldest of her four children, Christina Crawford, was published. At the age of sixty-seven, she appeared back on stage in the Tony Award winning Broadway musical, Follies.. She was cremated and her ashes buried with her last husband, Alfred Steele, in Ferncliff Cemetery, Hartsdale, New York. For years, she kept alternating her appearances in film with continued performances in vaudeville and when age put an end to the glamour roles, she readily took jobs in television. But she explicitly disinherited the eldest two, Christina and Christopher, with the phrase "...for reasons which should be well known to them.". While never a superstar, she worked hard at her craft headlining with the likes of Bing Crosby, and Buster Crabbe. In her will, she gave the two youngest of her adopted children, Cindy and Cathy, $77,500.00 each. After working with Gallagher and others in music halls for a few years, she headed west to Hollywood, California. There, she added the Paris name "D'Orsay" to the "Fifi" and began a career in movies, often cast as the naughty French girl from "Gay Paris.". Joan Crawford died in New York City of a heart attack while apparently ill with cancer. While working in the show, she became involved with Ed Gallagher, a veteran actor who joined her in putting together a vaudeville act. She proudly kept her Pally next to her Oscar for Mildred Pierce.. In a burst of creativity, she told the play's director she was from Paris, France where she had worked in the Follies Bèrgere. The show's impressed director hired her, billing her as "Mademoiselle Fifi". It was in the shape of a bronze Pepsi bottle. There, she found work in The Greenwich Village Follies after an audition in which she sang the song "Yes! We Have No Bananas" in French. She was the recipient of the Sixth Annual Pally Award, which was awarded to the employee making the most significant contribution to company sales. Born Marie-Rose Angelina Yvonne Lussier in Montreal, Quebec, as a young girl, filled with the desire to become an actress, she went to New York City. Two days after the death of Alfred Steele, she was elected to fill his vacancy on the board of directors. Fifi D'Orsay (April 16, 1904 - December 2, 1983) was an actress. Besides her work as an actress, from 1955 to 1973 Joan Crawford was a publicity executive for Pepsi-Cola and traveled extensively for the company. They Had to See Paris - (1929). She then sold her Brentwood mansion and stayed on in New York. Women Everywhere - (1930). He died there on April 19, 1959, leaving her a widow. Hot for Paris - (1930). Joan moved to a lavish apartment in New York City with her last husband, Alfred Steele. Those Three French Girls - (1930). Steele (married May 10, 1955 in Las Vegas, Nevada). On the Level - (1930). (married June 3, 1929 in New York City, divorced 1933), Franchot Tone (married October 11, 1935 in New Jersey, divorced 1939), and Phillip Terry (married July 21, 1942 at Hidden Valley Ranch in Ventura County, California, divorced 1946); and Pepsi-Cola president Alfred N. Women of All Nations - (1931). She had four husbands: actors Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. The Stolen Jools - (1931). In 1929, at the time she wed her first husband, Joan bought a mansion at 426 North Bristol Avenue in Brentwood, midway between Beverly Hills and the Pacific Ocean, which was her primary dwelling for the next twenty-six years. Young as You Feel - (1931). She won the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in Mildred Pierce in 1945, and was nominated for Possessed (1947) and Sudden Fear (1952). Lemon of Orange - (1931). Joan Crawford acted in many theatrical motion pictures over the course of her career, and she also worked in radio and television. Mr. The female contestant who entered the name "Joan Crawford" was awarded $500.00. The Girl From Calgary - (1932). A movie-magazine contest was the source of her well-known stage name. Going Hollywood - (1933). She was one of the WAMPAS Baby Stars in 1926. They Just Had to Get Married - (1933). Starting out in silent movies, she worked hard to ensure that her contract with the studio would be renewed. The Life of Jimmy Dolan - (1933). In 1925, she signed a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer under the name Lucille LeSueur and went to Culver City, California. Wonder Bar - (1934). She began her career as a chorus line dancer under the name Billie Cassin, eventually making her way to New York City. Three Legionnaires - (1937). And in 1922 she registered at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, where she attended for less than a year. Submarine Base - (1943). She then went to Rockingham Academy as a work student. Nabonga - (1944). Agnes as a work student. Delinquent Daughters - (1944). Later, after her mother and stepfather broke up, she stayed on at St. Dixie Jamboree - (1945). Agnes Academy (a Catholic school in Kansas City). The Gangster - (1947). While still in elementary school, she was placed in St. Wild And Wonderful - (1964). Henry Cassin is first listed in the City Directory in 1917 and his dwelling is 403 East Ninth Street. What a Way to Go! - (1964). In about 1916, they moved to Kansas City, Missouri. The Art of Love - (1965). Her ambition was to be a dancer. Assignment to Kill - (1968). Lucille preferred the nickname Billie, and she loved watching live acts perform. Lucille is five years old. The 1910 Comanche County, Oklahoma, Federal Census, enumerated on April 20, shows Henry and Anna Cassin living at 910 "D" Street in Lawton. Cassin ran a theater. The family lived in Lawton, Oklahoma, where Mr. Cassin (born 1873). Her mother later wed Henry J. Her older sister and brother were Daisy LeSueur, who died as a very young child, and Hal LeSueur, who was born September 3, 1902. LeSueur (1868-1938) and Anna Bell Johnson (1884-1958). Born Lucille Fay LeSueur in San Antonio, Texas, she was the third child of Thomas E. Joan Crawford (March 23, 1904 — May 10, 1977) was an Academy Award winning American actress. That's Dancing! (1985). That's Entertainment! (1974). MGM's Big Parade of Comedy (1964) ... AKA The Big Parade of Comedy. Herself (signs autographs). Four Days in November (1964) .. Joan Fairchild (Later reedited into the syndication package of Night Gallery.). The Sixth Sense (1972) (ABC) "Dear Joan: We're Going To Scare You To Death!" .. Allison Hayes. Beyond the Water's Edge (1972) (TV Movie) .. Stephanie White. The Virginian (1970) (NBC) "The Nightmare" .. Claudia Menlo. Night Gallery (1969) (NBC) "Eyes" .. Joan Boreman Kane #2 (temporary replacement for Christina Crawford). The Secret Storm (1968) (CBS) (daytime soap opera) .. Herself. The Lucy Show (1968) (CBS) "Lucy and Joan Crawford" or "The Lost Star" .. The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (1967) (NBC) "The Karate Killers" or "The Five Daughters Affair" ... Amanda True. Della Chappell. Della (1965) (TV Movie) AKA Fatal Confinement .. Morgan Harper. Route 66 (1963) (CBS) "Same Picture, Different Frame" .. Millicent Fox. The Foxes (1961) .. Sarah/Melanie Davidson. Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater (1961) (CBS) "One Must Die" .. Stella Faring. Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater (1959) (CBS) "Rebel Range" .. The Joan Crawford Show (1959) (Pilot) "Woman On The Run" ... Susan Conrad. Ann Howard. General Electric Theater (1959) (CBS) "And One Was Loyal" .. Ruth. General Electric Theater (1958) (CBS) "Strange Witness" .. Mary Andrews. General Electric Theater (1954) (CBS) "The Road to Edinburgh" .. Margaret Hughes. Revlon's Mirror Theater (1953) (CBS) "Because I Love Him" .. Brockton. Dr. Trog (1970) (Warner Bros.) .. Monica Rivers. Berserk! (1968) (Columbia) .. Amy Nelson. I Saw What You Did (1965) (Universal) .. Lucy Harbin. Strait-Jacket (1964) (Columbia) .. Lucretia Terry. The Caretakers (1963) (United Artists) .. Blanche Hudson. What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962) (Seven Arts/Warner Bros.) .. Amanda Farrow. The Best of Everything (1959) (20th Century Fox) .. Margaret Landi. The Story of Esther Costello (1957) (Valiant Films/Columbia) .. Millicent Wetherby. Autumn Leaves (1956) (William Goetz/Columbia) .. Eva Phillips. Queen Bee (1955) (Columbia) .. Lynn Markham. Female on the Beach (1955) (Universal) .. Vienna. Johnny Guitar (1954) (Republic) .. Jenny Stewart. Torch Song (1953) (MGM) .. Myra Hudson. Sudden Fear (1952) (RKO) .. Beth Austin. This Woman Is Dangerous (1952) (Warner Bros.) .. Agatha Reed. Goodbye, My Fancy (1951) (Warner Bros.) .. Harriet Craig. Harriet Craig (1950) (Columbia) .. Ethel Whitehead / Lorna Hansen Forbes. The Damned Don't Cry (1950) (Warner Bros.) .. Herself. It's a Great Feeling (1949) (Warner Bros.) (uncredited) .. Lane Bellamy. Flamingo Road (1949) (Warner Bros.) .. Daisy Kenyon. Daisy Kenyon (1947) (20th Century Fox) .. Louise Howell Graham. Possessed (1947) (Warner Bros.) .. Helen Wright. Humoresque (1946) (Warner Bros.) .. Mildred Pierce. Mildred Pierce (1945) (Warner Bros.) .. Herself. Hollywood Canteen (1944) (Warmer Bros.) .. Frances Myles. Above Suspicion (1943) (MGM) .. Michelle de la Becque. Reunion in France (1942) (MGM) .. Margaret Drew. They All Kissed the Bride (1942) (Columbia) .. Mary Howard. When Ladies Meet (1941) (MGM) .. Anna Holm. A Woman's Face (1941) (MGM) .. Susan Trexel. Susan and God (1940) (MGM) .. Julie. Strange Cargo (1940) (MGM) .. Crystal Allen. The Women (1939) (MGM) .. Mary McKay. Ice Follies of 1939 (1939) (MGM) .. Olivia Riley. The Shining Hour (1938) (MGM) .. Jessica Cassidy. Mannequin (1937) (MGM) .. Fay Cheyney. Cheyney (1937) (MGM) .. The Last of Mrs. Anni Pavlovitch. The Bride Wore Red (1937) (MGM) .. Sally Parker. Love on the Run (1936) (MGM) .. Margaret O'Neal "Peggy" Eaton. The Gorgeous Hussy (1936) (MGM) .. Kay Bentley. I Live My Life (1935) (MGM) .. Marcia Townsend. No More Ladies (1935) (MGM) .. Mary Clay. Forsaking All Others (1934) (MGM) .. Diane Lovering, also called "Dinah". Chained (1934) (MGM) .. Sadie McKee Brennan. Sadie McKee (1934) (MGM) .. Janie "Duchess" Barlow. Dancing Lady (1933) (MGM) .. Diana "Ann" Boyce-Smith. Today We Live (1933) (MGM) .. Herself. Screen Snapshots (1932) .. Sadie Thompson. Rain (1932) (United Artists) .. Flaemmchen. Grand Hotel (1932) (MGM) .. Letty Lynton. Letty Lynton (1932) (MGM) .. Bonnie "Bon" Jordan. Dance, Fools, Dance (1931) (MGM) .. Herself. The Slippery Pearls (1931) .. Ivy "Bunny" Stevens. Laughing Sinners (1931) (MGM) .. Valentine "Val" Winters. This Modern Age (1931) (MGM) .. Marian Martin. Possessed (1931) (MGM) .. Joan "Montana" Prescott. Montana Moon (1930) (MGM) .. Gerry Marsh. Our Blushing Brides (1930) (MGM) .. Mary Turner. Paid (1930) (MGM) .. Susie. The Duke Steps Out (1929) (MGM) .. Billie Brown. Our Modern Maidens (1929) (MGM) .. Alice "Bingo" Dowling. Untamed (1929) (MGM) .. Singing, dancing, and part of an all-star cast performing the song "Singin' In The Rain."). In color. Specialty (With sound. The Hollywood Revue of 1929 (1929) (MGM) .. Herself. Hollywood Snapshots #11 (1929) (MGM) .. Betty Channing. West Point (1928) (MGM) .. Betty Dallas. The Law of the Range (1928) (MGM) .. Rose-Marie. Rose-Marie (1928) (MGM) .. Priscilla Crowninshield. Across to Singapore (1928) (MGM) .. Frieda. Four Walls (1928) (MGM) .. Diana Medford. Our Dancing Daughters (1928) (Cosmopolitan Production/MGM) .. Adrienne Lecouvreur. Dream of Love (1928) (MGM) .. Allie Monte. Spring Fever (1927) (MGM) .. Jane. Twelve Miles Out (1927) (MGM) .. Estellita or Nanon, Zanzi's Daughter. The Unknown (1927) (MGM) .. Monica Dale. The Understanding Heart (1927) (MGM) .. Joslyn Poe. The Taxi Dancer (1927) (MGM) .. Renée Contrecoeur. Winners of the Wilderness (1927) (MGM) .. Jane. The Boob (1926) (MGM) .. the girl. Paris (1926) (MGM) .. Betty Burton. Tramp, Tramp, Tramp (1926) (First National) .. Sally, Irene and Mary (1925) (MGM) (credited as Joan Crawford) ... Irene. party guest. The Only Thing (1925) (MGM) (uncredited) .. Mary Riley. Old Clothes (1925) (MGM) (credited as Lucille LeSueur) .. extra. The Midshipman (1925) (MGM) (uncredited) .. Young Lady Catherine. The Circle (1925) (MGM) (uncredited) .. Bobby, a showgirl. Pretty Ladies (1925) (MGM) (credited as Lucille LeSueur) .. extra. The Merry Widow (1925) (MGM) (uncredited) .. mannequin. A Slave of Fashion (1925) (MGM) (uncredited) .. bit part. Proud Flesh (1925) (MGM) (uncredited) .. double for Norma Shearer. Lady of the Night (1925) (MGM) (uncredited) .. |