Jan Norris was an American actress who is best known for Splendor in the Grass, It’s a Man’s World, and Middle of the Night.
Personal and Family Life
Jan Norris was born as Janice Anita Grimes on September 2, 1940, in Chicago, Illinois. She was married twice: first to Archie Archambault from 1959 to 1961, and later to Robert Le Maire until her death in 1985. She took ballet and acting lessons early in her life, which helped her enter the theater. Jan adopted her stage name from her stepfather, Chester Norris.
Career
Jan Norris’s acting career began with her theatrical debut at the Pittsburgh Playhouse. She gained recognition for her performances in various films and television shows during the late 1950s and early 1960s. Unfortunately, her career was cut short at the age of 24 due to a brain aneurysm, which left her with a lasting disability.
Death and Legacy
Jan Norris passed away on October 26, 1985, in Van Nuys, California, from complications related to a cerebral hemorrhage. Despite her short career, she is remembered for her contributions to the film industry during a transformative era. After acting, she worked as a marketing model, appearing in magazines and newspapers.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Splendor in the Grass | 1961-10-10 | Juanita Howard |
| The Explosive Generation | 1961-10-19 | Terry |
| Middle of the Night | 1959-05-20 | Alice Mueller |
| It’s a Man’s World | 1962-09-17 | Irene Hoff |
| Naked City | 1958-09-30 | Doris Giles |
| Bonanza | 1959-09-12 | Meg (as Jane Norris) |