Jane Adams was an American actress who is best known for her roles in House of Dracula, Batman and Robin, and The Brute Man. She made her mark in the film industry with a career that spanned several decades, earning a reputation for her unique performances.
Personal and Family Life
Jane Adams was born Betty Jean Bierce on August 7, 1918, in San Antonio, Texas. She was married twice, first to Navy pilot John Custer Harold Smith, who tragically died in action during World War II, and later to Thomas Turnage, with whom she had two children. Turnage was a decorated Major General in the Army, serving as the last administrator for the Veterans Administration before it became a cabinet department.
Career
Before becoming an actress, Jane worked as a model for the Harry Conover Modeling Agency. She turned down a scholarship to Juilliard to study acting at the Pasadena Playhouse instead. Her early career included roles in radio, particularly on Lux Radio Theatre and The Whistler, before transitioning to film where she became best known for her character Nina in House of Dracula.
Death and Legacy
Jane Adams passed away on May 21, 2014, in Bellingham, Washington. She left behind a legacy of memorable performances in classic films, particularly in the horror genre. Her contributions to the film industry are still remembered by fans and historians alike.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| House of Dracula | 1945-12-07 | Nina |
| The Brute Man | 1946-10-01 | Helen Paige |
| Batman and Robin | 1949-05-26 | Vicki Vale |
| Smooth as Silk | 1946-02-01 | Susan Marlowe |
| Gun Law Justice | 1949-03-13 | Jane Darnton |
| Lost City of the Jungle | 1946-04-23 | Marjorie Elmore |
| Lawless Breed | 1946-08-16 | Marjorie ‘Maggie’ Bradley |
| Outlaw Gold | 1950-11-26 | Kathy Martin |
| Rustler’s Round-up | 1946-08-01 | Josephine Fremont |
| Salome, Where She Danced | 1945-04-17 | Salome Girl |
| Master Minds | 1949-11-27 | Nancy Marlowe |
| The Girl from San Lorenzo | 1950-02-24 | Nora Malloy |
| Law of the Panhandle | 1950-09-17 | Margie Kendal |
| Secret of Outlaw Flats | 1953-11-15 | Peggy |
| Code of the Lawless | 1945-07-01 | Julie Randall (as Poni Adams) |
| Trail to Vengeance | 1945-06-01 | Dorothy Jackson (as Poni Adams) |
| Gunman’s Code | 1946-08-01 | Laura Burton |
| Western Renegades | 1949-10-08 | Judy Gordon |
| Lady on a Train | 1945-08-03 | Circus Club Photographer |
| Street Bandits | 1951-11-09 | Jane Phillips, Secretary |
| Batmania: From Comics to Screen | 1989-01-01 | Self / Vicki Vale (archive footage) |
| He Walked by Night | 1949-02-06 | Nurse Scanion (uncredited) |
| Monster Madness: The Golden Age of the Horror Film | 2014-08-01 | Self (archive footage) |
| Adventures of Superman | 1952-09-19 | Babette DuLoque |