Jeanne Crain

Jeanne Crain was an American actress who is best known for her roles in “Pinky,” “State Fair,” and “Leave Her to Heaven.” She made a significant impact in the film industry, particularly during the 1940s and 1950s.

Personal and Family Life

Jeanne Crain was born on May 25, 1925, in Barstow, California. She grew up in Los Angeles and pursued acting from a young age, eventually marrying Paul Brooks on December 31, 1945. The couple had seven children together, although Jeanne faced personal tragedies with the loss of two of her children before her passing.

Education and Career

After completing high school, Jeanne studied drama at UCLA and began her film career with a small role in “The Gang’s All Here” (1943). She quickly rose to fame and received an Oscar nomination for her performance in “Pinky” (1949). Jeanne worked with major studios like Fox and Universal, often taking breaks to focus on her family life.

Death and Legacy

Jeanne Crain passed away from a heart attack on December 14, 2003, in Santa Barbara, California, just two months after her husband Paul Brooks died. Her contributions to the film industry remain memorable, with several of her films still appreciated today.

Filmography

Title Release Date Character
People Will Talk 1951-08-29 Deborah Higgins
The Fastest Gun Alive 1956-07-12 Dora Temple
Cheaper by the Dozen 1950-03-31 Ann Gilbreth
State Fair 1945-08-29 Margy Frake
Hot Rods to Hell 1967-01-27 Peg Phillips
Dangerous Crossing 1953-07-22 Ruth Stanton Bowman
Man Without a Star 1955-03-24 Reed Bowman
Vicki 1953-10-05 Jill Lynn
Pinky 1949-09-28 Patricia “Pinky” Johnson
A Letter to Three Wives 1949-01-20 Deborah Bishop
Leave Her to Heaven 1945-12-25 Ruth Berent
Belles on Their Toes 1952-05-02 Ann Gilbreth
Madison Avenue 1961-04-13 Peggy Shannon
Gentlemen Marry Brunettes 1955-10-29 Connie Jones / Mitzi Jones
The Tattered Dress 1957-03-14 Diane Blane
Nefertiti, regina del Nilo 1961-09-20 Nefertiti
Twenty Plus Two 1961-08-13 Linda Foster
Skyjacked 1972-05-24 Mrs. Clara Shaw
Margie 1946-10-15 Marjorie “Margie” MacDuff
The Model and the Marriage Broker 1951-11-01 Kitty Bennett
In the Meantime, Darling 1944-09-22 Margaret ‘Maggie’ Preston
The Fan 1949-04-01 Lady Margaret ‘Meg’ Windermere
Centennial Summer 1946-07-10 Julia Rogers
The Night God Screamed 1971-01-01 Fanny Pierce
Winged Victory 1944-12-22 Helen
Ponzio Pilato 1962-02-15 Claudia Procula
Take Care of My Little Girl 1951-07-06 Liz Erickson
City of Bad Men 1953-09-11 Linda Culligan
Duel in the Jungle 1954-06-30 Marian Taylor
The Second Greatest Sex 1955-09-30 Liza McClure
O. Henry’s Full House 1952-08-07 Della (segment “The Gift of the Magi”)
Apartment for Peggy 1948-09-30 Peggy Taylor
The Joker Is Wild 1957-09-26 Letty Page
The Gang’s All Here 1943-12-24 Chorus Girl / Pool Party Guest (uncredited)
Col ferro e col fuoco 1962-07-14 Helen
You Were Meant for Me 1948-01-28 Peggy Mayhew
Guns of the Timberland 1960-02-01 Laura Riley
Home in Indiana 1944-06-15 Charlotte ‘Char’ Bruce
Meet Me in St. Louis 1959-04-26 Rose Smith
I’ll Get By