Jane Darwell was an American actress who is best known for her roles in The Grapes of Wrath, Mary Poppins, and Gone with the Wind.
Personal and Family Life
Born as Patti Mary Woodard on October 15, 1879, in Palmyra, Missouri, Jane Darwell grew up on a ranch. She was the daughter of Robert and Ellen Woodard. Although she desired to be an opera singer, she pursued a career in acting instead, changing her last name to Darwell to avoid tarnishing her family’s name. She married Harold Guy Cooley in 1924 but divorced him three years later.
Career Highlights
Darwell made her stage debut at the age of 33 and transitioned smoothly to films, starting with a silent movie in 1913. She became famous for portraying nurturing motherly figures, with her most iconic role being Ma Joad in The Grapes of Wrath, which earned her an Academy Award. Despite this, she also played more villainous roles, notably in The Ox-Bow Incident and Caged. Over her career, she appeared in more than 200 films.
Death and Legacy
Jane Darwell passed away on August 13, 1967, from a heart attack after having suffered a stroke. She was interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. Her contributions to film, especially in portraying strong, maternal characters, have left a lasting legacy in Hollywood.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Mary Poppins | 1964-12-17 | Bird Woman |
| The Grapes of Wrath | 1940-03-15 | Ma Joad |
| Gone with the Wind | 1939-03-12 | Mrs. Merriwether |
| The Ox-Bow Incident | 1943-03-11 | Ma Grier |
| My Darling Clementine | 1946-10-17 | Kate Nelson |
| We’re Not Married! | 1952-07-11 | Mrs. Bush |
| The Lemon Drop Kid | 1951-04-02 | ‘Nellie Thursday’ Regan |
| 3 Godfathers | 1948-12-31 | Miss Florie |
| Caged | 1950-05-19 | Isolation Matron |
| All That Money Can Buy | 1941-10-17 | Ma Stone |
| Curly Top | 1935-07-26 | Mrs. Denham |
| Bright Eyes | 1934-12-28 | Mrs. Higgins |
| Wagon Master | 1950-04-22 | Sister Ledyard |
| Before Dawn | 1933-08-04 | Mrs. Marble |
| Little Miss Broadway | 1938-07-29 | Miss Hutchins |
| Air Hostess | 1933-01-15 | Ma Kearny |
| Huckleberry Finn | 1931-08-07 | Widow Douglas |