Irene Coleman was an American actress best known for her roles in Tripping Through the Tropics, Romance of the Potato, and Old King Cole. She was born on August 13, 1913, in Nashua, New Hampshire, and passed away on July 19, 1975, in Santa Monica, California.
Personal and Family Life
Irene Coleman was of French-Canadian descent and was originally named Bressette. She gained fame after being crowned Miss Chicago in 1931, which led her to Hollywood in 1934. In addition to her acting career, she was known as a glamorous socialite, often dubbed “the Gal with the Beautiful Eyes.”
Career
Coleman’s acting career began with a brief stint on Broadway as a showgirl. After moving to Hollywood, she played a variety of roles as an ingénue and chorus girl in films until about 1941. Despite her contributions to cinema, she became better recognized for her social presence than for her film roles.
Death and Legacy
Irene Coleman died from leukemia on July 19, 1975, at the age of 61. Her legacy remains as a charming actress in early American cinema who transitioned from beauty queen to film star and socialite. Although she had a relatively short career in the film industry, her impact as a prominent figure in Hollywood endures.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Wells Fargo | 1937-12-31 | Pioneer Woman |
| Fast and Furious | 1939-10-06 | (uncredited) |
| Balalaika | 1939-12-15 | Cafe Girl (uncredited) |
| Slightly Honorable | 1939-12-22 | Curvy Brunette (Uncredited) |
| North West Mounted Police | 1940-10-22 | Half-Caste |
| Men in Black | 1934-09-28 | Nurse |
| Arise, My Love | 1940-11-08 | Girl at Maxim’s (Uncredited) |
| A Dispatch from Reuters | 1940-10-19 | French Girl in Paris (uncredited) |
| Let Them Live | 1937-04-25 | Nurse |
| The Bride Wore Red | 1937-10-08 | Cosmos Club Hat Check Girl (uncredited) |
| Kid Galahad | 1937-05-29 | (uncredited) |
| Tripping Through the Tropics | 1934-07-27 | Jack’s Tropical Sweetheart |