Yolande Donlan was an American actress known for her roles in films such as The Devil Bat, Penny Princess, and Born Yesterday. She had a successful career on both stage and screen, particularly in England after her early years in the United States.
Personal and Family Life
Yolande Donlan was born on June 2, 1920, in Jersey City, New Jersey. She was the daughter of character actor James Donlan, who struggled with alcoholism and passed away when she was young. Yolande was married three times, first to Jack Bender, then to Philip Truex, with whom she had a son named Christopher, born in 1946. Her final marriage was to British director Val Guest, whom she wed in 1954.
Career
Her film career began in the late 1930s, originally using the stage name Yolande Mallott. She achieved personal success when she starred as Billie Dawn in the London production of Born Yesterday, a role that was highlighted by Laurence Olivier. Throughout her career, Yolande took on varied roles in both film and theater, being directed by Val Guest in several movies. In the 1970s, she published her autobiography titled “Shake the Stars Down” and wrote travel articles for the Daily Express.
Death and Legacy
Yolande Donlan passed away on December 30, 2014, in London, England, at the age of 94. She leaves behind a legacy as a talented actress who made significant contributions to stage and film. Her life journey includes remarkable achievements and an enduring love for the performing arts.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Devil Bat | 1940-12-13 | Maxine |
| Penny Princess | 1952-03-24 | Lindy Smith |
| Tarzan and the Lost Safari | 1957-04-12 | Gamage Dean |
| Jigsaw | 1962-08-21 | Jean Sherman |
| They Can’t Hang Me | 1955-10-01 | Jill Wilson |
| Expresso Bongo | 1959-12-01 | Dixie Collins |
| Mr. Drake’s Duck | 1951-09-21 | Penny Drake |
| Traveller’s Joy | 1950-12-25 | Lil Fowler |
| 80,000 Suspects | 1963-08-15 | Ruth Preston |
| Seven Nights in Japan | 1976-08-05 | American Wife |
| Turnabout | 1940-05-17 | Marie (as Yolande Mollot) |
| The Body Said No! | 1950-04-30 | |
| Miss Pilgrim’s Progress | 1949-11-29 | Laramie Pilgrim |
| Cross-Country Romance | 1940-07-12 | Jennie |
| Dark Streets of Cairo | 1940-12-01 | Maggie Malone, aka Margo Molina |
| The Adventurers | 1970-03-25 | Mrs. Erickson |
| Under Age | 1941-04-23 | Lily Fletcher |