Early Life
Carole Lombard was born Jane Alice Peters on October 6, 1908, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. After her parents’ divorce, she moved with her mother and brothers to Los Angeles, where she was discovered by a film director at age 12 while playing baseball. This led to a small role in A Perfect Crime (1921).
Early Career
Carole Lombard officially entered Hollywood in the silent film era, working for Fox Film Corporation before a car accident in 1926 left her with a small but noticeable scar on her face. She recovered and transitioned into talking pictures, signing with Paramount Pictures in the early 1930s.
Rise to Stardom
Her natural comedic timing and effervescent personality made her one of the top actresses of the 1930s, especially in screwball comedies. Some of her most notable films include:
- Twentieth Century (1934) – opposite John Barrymore, establishing her as a comedy star
- My Man Godfrey (1936) – earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress
- Nothing Sacred (1937) – one of her most celebrated performances
- To Be or Not to Be (1942) – a satirical comedy about World War II
She worked alongside leading men like Clark Gable, Fredric March, and Cary Grant, becoming one of Hollywood’s highest-paid actresses.
Marriage to Clark Gable
In 1939, Lombard married Clark Gable, one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Their romance was legendary, and she was known for her quick wit, humor, and down-to-earth nature.
Tragic Death
During World War II, Lombard was deeply patriotic, actively supporting war bond efforts. In January 1942, after leading a successful bond rally, she boarded TWA Flight 3 to return to Los Angeles. Tragically, the plane crashed near Las Vegas, killing all on board. She was only 33 years old.
Legacy
Her performances continue to inspire actors and filmmakers, and she remains an icon of Golden Age Hollywood.
