Joan Blondell

Birth Name:

Rose Joan Blondell

Birth Place:

New York City, New York, United States

Profession

Actress, Soundtrack

Honored in 2007 by the Museum of Modern Art in New York City
Attended the University of North Texas (UNT) in Denton, Texas, which was at the time a teacher's college
Born to a vaudeville family, she started performing on Broadway in 1927
Quote: "There's a very fine line between underacting and not acting at all․"
Was raped by a police officer in 1927, a fact she kept secret until she told her daughter decades later
Often collaborated with James Cagney on film projects
Widely recognized for her wisecracking antics in movies
Replaced Bea Benaderet for one episode of "Petticoat Junction" when the actress was sick
Under contract with Warner Brothers, studio head Jack Warner wanted to change her name to "Inez Holmes," but she refused
Won the Miss Dallas pageant in 1926 under the name Rosebud Blondell, later placing fourth for Miss America
Would talk her way through song and dance numbers while cast in musicals

1931Photoplay Award - Best Performances of the Month (August):Winner
1931Photoplay Award - Best Performances of the Month (October):Winner
1933Photoplay Award - Best Performances of the Month (August):Winner
1937Photoplay Award - Best Performances of the Month (December):Winner
1938Photoplay Award - Best Performances of the Month (June):Winner
1939Photoplay Award - Best Performances of the Month (September):Winner
1945Photoplay Award - Best Performances of the Month (April):Winner
1952Oscar - Best Actress in a Supporting Role:Nominated
1965NBR Award - Best Supporting Actress:Winner
1966Golden Globe - Best Supporting Actress:Nominated
1969Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Series:Nominated
1970Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Series:Nominated
1978Golden Globe - Best Actress in a Supporting Role - Motion Picture:Nominated

Fast Facts