Crain, Jeanne (1925–2003)
Crain, Jeanne (1925–2003)
American actress. Born May 25, 1925, in Barstow, California; died of a heart attack, Dec 14, 2003, in Santa Barbara; dau. of George A. (teacher) and Loretta (Carr) Crain; attended University of California, Los Angeles, 1952; m. Paul Frederick Brinkman (former actor under name of Paul Brooks), Dec 31, 1945; children: Paul Jr., Timothy, Jeanine, Lisa and Maria.
Film star (1940s–50s), made debut adorning a swimming pool in The Gang's All Here (1943); landed 1st major role (3rd billing) in Home in Indiana (1944); of her early films, probably best remembered for starring role in State Fair (1945); popularity rose considerably with release of Margie (1946) and Apartment for Peggy (1948); made 3 films (1949): A Letter to Three Wives, The Fan and Pinky, the last of which won her an Academy Award nomination; other films include Leave Her to Heaven (1945), Centennial Summer (1946), You Were Meant for Me (1948), Cheaper by the Dozen (1950), People Will Talk (1951), Belles on Their Toes (1952), Gentlemen Marry Brunettes (1955), The Second Greatest Sex (1955), The Joker Is Wild (1957) and Skyjacked (1972).
See also Women in World History.