Gladys George was an American actress best known for her roles in The Best Years of Our Lives, The Maltese Falcon, and Madame X. She had a significant impact on American cinema, particularly in the 1930s and 1940s.
Personal and Family Life
Gladys George was born as Gladys Clare Evans on September 13, 1900, in Patten, Maine. Her parents were English actors touring with a Shakespearean company when she was born. She grew up in an acting family, which heavily influenced her path toward a career in performance.
Career Highlights
George began her acting career in vaudeville and made her Broadway debut in 1918. She transitioned to film, starting with silent movies, and gained recognition for her dramatic roles. Despite facing setbacks, including an accident that caused burns, she rose to prominence and received a Best Actress nomination for her role in Valiant Is the Word for Carrie.
Death and Legacy
Gladys George passed away on December 8, 1954, in Los Angeles, California, due to a stroke, though her health had been declining due to liver and throat issues. She remains remembered for her powerful performances and the emotional depth she brought to her characters in classic films.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Best Years of Our Lives | 1946-12-25 | Hortense Derry |
| The Maltese Falcon | 1941-10-18 | Iva Archer |
| Detective Story | 1951-11-01 | Miss Hatch |
| He Ran All the Way | 1951-06-20 | Mrs. Robey |
| Christmas Holiday | 1944-07-31 | Valerie de Merode |
| Flamingo Road | 1949-04-30 | Lute Mae Sanders |
| The Hard Way | 1943-01-13 | Lily Emery |
| Lullaby of Broadway | 1951-03-26 | Jessica Howard |
| Marie Antoinette | 1938-08-26 | Mme. du Barry |
| The Roaring Twenties | 1939-10-28 | Panama Smith |
| Madame X | 1937-10-01 | Jacqueline Fleuriot / Miss Pran / Madame X |
| The House Across the Bay | 1940-03-01 | Mary Bogel |
| Undercover Girl | 1950-11-02 | Liz |
| Bright Leaf | 1950-06-16 | Rose |
| They Gave Him a Gun | 1937-05-07 | Rose Duffy |
| Valiant Is the Word for Carrie | 1936-10-06 | Carrie Snyder |
| The Lady from Cheyenne | 1941-04-11 | Elsie |
| The Crystal Ball | 1943-01-22 | Madame Zenobia |
| Straight Is the Way | 1934-08-10 | Shirley |
| Here I Am a Stranger | 1939-09-29 | Clara Paulding |
| A Child Is Born | 1939-12-07 | Florette Laverne |
| Alias a Gentleman | 1948-02-03 | Madge Parkson |
| Nobody’s Darling | 1943-08-27 | Eve Hawthorne |
| Steppin’ in Society | 1945-07-09 | Penelope Webster |
| Below the Surface | 1920-06-08 | Alice |
| Hit the Road | 1941-06-27 | Molly Ryan |
| Silver City | 1951-12-01 | Mrs. Barber |
| Minstrel Man | 1944-01-02 | Mae White |
| I’m from Missouri | 1939-04-06 | Julie Bliss |
| Love Is a Headache | 1938-01-14 | Carlotta ‘Charlie’ Lee |
| The Way of All Flesh | 1940-07-05 | Anna Kriza |
| The Romance of Celluloid | 1937-08-27 | Self |
| It Happens Every Thursday | 1953-04-22 | Mrs. Holmes |
| The Woman in the Suitcase | 1920-01-11 | Ethel |
| Millie’s Daughter | 1947-03-20 | Millie Maitland |
| The House That Jazz Built | 1921-04-01 | Lila Drake |
| Hopalong Cassidy | 1952-09-19 | |
| Mr. & Mrs. North | 1952-10-03 |