Hopper, Hedda (1885–1966)

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Hopper, Hedda (1885–1966)

American actress and gossip columnist. Name variations: Elda Curry; Elda or Ella Furry; Elda Millar. Born Elda Furry, May 2, 1885, in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania; died Feb 1, 1966; dau. of David Furry (butcher) and Margaret (Miller) Furry; studied at Carter Conservatory of Music, Pittsburgh, c. 1903; m. William DeWolf Hopper, May 8, 1913 (div. 1922); children: William DeWolf Hopper Jr.(b. 1915, actor).

Wielding considerable power, wrote syndicated gossip column (1938–66) and hosted radio gossip program (1936); appeared in more than 100 films, including Sherlock Holmes (1922), The Women (1939), Breakfast in Hollywood (1946), Sunset Boulevard (1950) and The Oscar (1966).

See also autobiographies From Under My Hat (1952) and The Whole Truth and Nothing But (1963); George Eells, Hedda and Louella (Putnam, 1972); and Women in World History.

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