Nellie Lane was an American actress who is best known for her roles in Circus Days, Spangles, and Nightmare Alley. Born as Nellie Blanche Lane on May 1, 1898, in Spencer, West Virginia, she became known as “Jolly Nellie” due to her impressive size and circus performances.
Personal and Family Life
Nellie was born to Charles Lane and L. Jenny Showalter and had two brothers and a sister. She grew up in West Virginia and attended high school in Murray City, Utah, where she faced bullying because of her size. However, she embraced her body and eventually joined the John Robinson Circus in 1918, where she first gained fame as a sideshow attraction. In 1926, while performing in Hawaii, she fell in love with Carl Leon Terrell, a fellow performer, and they married after his recovery from an injury.
Career
Nellie’s film career began with a role in the silent movie Circus Days in 1923, where she played a sideshow fat lady. She continued to act in films, including Spangles in 1926, which also featured her as the fat lady. Her last film appearance was in 1947’s Nightmare Alley, where she was an uncredited extra, visible performing in the background. Despite fewer film roles later in her life, she remained closely associated with her circus roots.
Death and Legacy
Nellie Lane passed away on September 5, 1955, from cancer at Los Angeles County General Hospital. After her death, she was cremated, and her ashes were interred at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, California. Nellie’s legacy as an entertainer lives on, especially through her unique contributions to circus history and film.
Filmography
| Title | Year | Role | IMDb Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Circus Days | 1923 | Fat Woman | 6.3 |
| Spangles | 1926 | Fat Woman (as Nelle B. Lane) | 5.5 |
| Nightmare Alley | 1947 | Fat Woman (uncredited) | 7.7 |