A&E's biography recently summed up Loretta Young this way, "She remains a symbol of beauty, serenity, and grace. But behind the glamor and stardom is a woman of substance whose true beauty lies in her dedication to her family, her faith, and her quest to live life with a purpose." That statement, in a nutshell, summed up Loretta who entered the world in Salt Lake City, Utah on January 6, 1913.
Here parents separated when Loretta was just three years old. It was then that her mother moved the rest of the family to Southern California. Mrs. Young's brother-in-law was an assistant director and managed to get the young Loretta a small role in the film, THE ONLY WAY in 1917. Actually the role consisted nothing more than a small, weeping child lying on an operating table.
Later that year she appeared in another small role in THE PRIMROSE RING. It was this film that starred Mae Murray who was taken with the little Loretta. She even wished to adopt her, but Mrs. Young said no. Loretta did wind up staying with the Murray's for a year and a half. She would not be in another film again until 1921 when she had a brief scene in THE SHEIK.
During that period she and her sisters were educated in parochial schools. Afterwards she went back to helping her mother run the boarding house Mrs. Young started when they had first moved west.
In 1927, Loretta came back to the silver screen in a small part in NAUGHTY, BUT NICE. She was all of fourteen, but anxious to get started in a film career for real.
As Denise Laverne in 1928's THE MAGNIFICENT FLIRT, she began to shape any character she had with total dedication. It was the first of many outstanding roles for her. Later in the year she received second billing in THE HEAD MAN.
Loretta continued to toil in many roles as the twenties turned into the thirties. She was appearing anywhere from six to nine films per year. Her two older sisters were also involved in the acting profession, but they weren't making near the films their younger sister was. Loretta's career overtook theirs early on. It seemed that Loretta's natural beauty was a distinct advantage for her.
By the mid 1930's Loretta had switched studios leaving First National and going over to rival Fox studios. She had worked for Fox before, but only on a loan out basis from First National. It was at Fox that Loretta became one of the premiere leading ladies of Hollywood.
In 1938, Loretta starred in KENTUCKY as Sally Goodwin. The film was an outstanding success. Although she was not nominated for an award, her co-star, Walter Brennan, won for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Peter Goodwin. It was only a matter of time before Loretta would get the accolades she so deserved.
By the time the forties dawned, Loretta was still churning out quality films. Newcomers were now hitting the big screen, but Loretta's star never dimmed. She was still one of the most beautiful ladies in the film world.
Loretta, finally, was given her due when she won an Academy Award for Best Actress in THE FARMER'S DAUGHTER (1947) a tale of a farm girl who rises through the ranks and becomes a Congresswoman. The film was a smash and the one for which she is best remembered. With the win she had reached the pinnacle of her career. But she was not finished yet. That same year, she starred in the delightful fantasy, THE BISHOP'S WIFE with David Niven and Cary Grant. It was a hit then as well as today. It continues to be a staple of television during the Christmas season.
In 1949, Loretta starred in the well-received film, MOTHER IS A FRESHMAN with Van Johnson and Rudy Vallee as well in COME TO THE STABLE. It was this latter film which garnered her a second Oscar nomination. Unfortunately, she lost to the great Olivia de Havilland for her film, THE HEIRESS.
In 1953, Loretta filmed IT HAPPENS EVERY THURSDAY. It was to be her final performance on the big screen. She had plans on entering the relative new medium of television. That year she started her TV series, "The Loretta Young Show". The show was absolutely fabulous garnering Loretta with three Emmy Awards. After that series long run, she took a hiatus for a short while, returning in 1962 with "The New Loretta Young Show". It didn't do as well as the first series and flopped.
Then for the next 24 years she didn't appear in any entertainment medium. Her final fling before the cameras was with a made for TV film called LADY IN THE CORNER.
On August 12, 2000, Loretta died of ovarian cancer. She was 87 years old.
Check out these Loretta Young Pics
Loretta Pic 1
Loretta Pic 2
Loretta Pic 3
Loretta Pic 4
Loretta Pic 5
Loretta Pic 6
Click here to go to Pauline Frederick
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Thanks to Doug Stickney and Francine Cole for the pics on Miss Young.
Another fine site by Meredy. Be sure to check this one out!!
© 1999 Denny C. Jackson dejackso@iglou.com
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