Frances Dee was an American actress born on November 26, 1909, in Los Angeles, California, USA. She was known for her beauty, talent, and versatile performances during the golden age of Hollywood.
Frances Dee’s acting career began in the early 1930s, and she quickly gained attention for her roles in both silent and sound films. She appeared in a wide range of genres, including dramas, comedies, and adventure films.
One of her early notable roles was in the film “An American Tragedy” (1931), based on the novel by Theodore Dreiser. Her breakthrough came with her role as Ruth St. Denis in the biographical film “The Barretts of Wimpole Street” (1934).
Frances Dee’s talent and screen presence led her to work with renowned directors and stars of her time. She starred opposite Maurice Chevalier in “The House on 56th Street” (1933) and worked with director John Cromwell in “Little Women” (1933).
In 1934, Frances Dee married actor Joel McCrea, and they remained married until his passing in 1990. They appeared together in several films, including “The Richest Girl in the World” (1934) and “Wells Fargo” (1937).
Some of her other notable films include “Of Human Bondage” (1934), “If I Were King” (1938), and “Love Affair” (1939).
Frances Dee’s career slowed down in the 1940s as she focused on raising her family, but she continued to make occasional appearances in films and television throughout the following decades.
Outside of acting, Frances Dee was known for her philanthropic work, and she remained active in the entertainment industry even after retiring from acting.
Frances Dee passed away on March 6, 2004, at the age of 94, leaving behind a legacy of memorable performances and contributions to classic Hollywood cinema. She is remembered as a talented and beloved actress of her time.
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Trivia of Frances Dee
Certainly! Here are some trivia facts about Frances Dee:
- Family Connection: Frances Dee’s father was a prominent Broadway actor, and her mother was a successful stage actress. Growing up in a theatrical family influenced her interest in acting.
- Early Start: She made her film debut at the age of 18 in the film “The Silver Horde” (1930).
- Contract with Paramount: Frances Dee signed a contract with Paramount Pictures in the early 1930s, which helped launch her career in Hollywood.
- Sound Transition: Frances Dee successfully made the transition from silent films to talkies, demonstrating her versatility as an actress.
- Literary Inspiration: One of her most famous roles was as Meg March in “Little Women” (1933), based on Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel.
- Love and Marriage: Frances Dee and actor Joel McCrea fell in love while working together on the film “The Silver Cord” (1933) and got married shortly after.
- Hollywood Couple: Frances Dee and Joel McCrea became one of Hollywood’s most beloved couples, both on and off-screen. They were married for over 57 years until Joel McCrea’s passing in 1990.
- Family Life: Frances Dee and Joel McCrea had three sons together: Jody, David, and Peter, who also pursued careers in the entertainment industry.
- Collaborations with Joel McCrea: Frances Dee and Joel McCrea starred in multiple films together, such as “The Richest Girl in the World” (1934), “Beau Geste” (1939), and “Four Faces West” (1948).
- Philanthropic Activities: Throughout her life, Frances Dee was involved in various charitable endeavors and philanthropic work.
- Lifelong Friendship: She maintained a lifelong friendship with her “Little Women” co-star Katharine Hepburn.
- Retirement: Frances Dee gradually scaled back her acting career in the 1940s to focus on raising her family. However, she continued to make occasional appearances in films and television over the years.
Frances Dee’s talent, grace, and dedication to her craft have left a lasting impact on classic Hollywood cinema, and she is remembered as a cherished actress of her time.
Movies and webseries of Frances Dee
Frances Dee appeared in numerous films during her career in classic Hollywood. However, as of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, web series did not exist during her time, so she did not appear in any web series. Here are some of her notable movies:
- The Silver Horde (1930) – Frances Dee’s film debut, where she played Mildred Wayland.
- An American Tragedy (1931) – She portrayed Sondra Finchley in this drama film based on the novel by Theodore Dreiser.
- Blood Money (1933) – Frances Dee appeared as Jerry’s Secretary in this crime drama.
- The House on 56th Street (1933) – She played Peggy Martin in this drama alongside Kay Francis and Ricardo Cortez.
- Little Women (1933) – Frances Dee portrayed Meg March in this classic adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s novel.
- Of Human Bondage (1934) – She appeared as Mildred Rogers in this drama film based on W. Somerset Maugham’s novel.
- Becky Sharp (1935) – Frances Dee had a small role as Amelia Sedley in this historical drama.
- If I Were King (1938) – She starred as Katherine de Vaucelles in this historical drama with Ronald Colman.
- Love Affair (1939) – Frances Dee played Lois Clarke in this romantic drama alongside Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer.
- Four Faces West (1948) – In this Western film, she appeared as Fay Hollister, starring opposite Joel McCrea.
These are some of the notable movies in which Frances Dee appeared. Her talent and contributions to classic Hollywood have left a lasting legacy, and she is fondly remembered as a talented actress of her time.
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