Jean Arthur (born Gladys Georgianna Greene; October 17, 1900 – June 19, 1991) was an American actress best known for her work in screwball comedies of the 1930s and 1940s. With her distinctive husky voice and girl-next-door charm, she became one of the most beloved actresses of Hollywood’s Golden Age.
Early Life
Jean Arthur was born in Plattsburgh, New York, but her family moved frequently during her childhood, eventually settling in New York City. She worked as a stenographer before trying her hand at modeling and acting. Her stage name was inspired by Joan of Arc and King Arthur.
Career Beginnings
Arthur began her film career in silent movies in the early 1920s. However, she struggled to find success in silent films due to her unique voice, which ultimately became one of her greatest assets with the advent of talking pictures.
Rise to Stardom
Her breakthrough came in the 1930s when she signed with Columbia Pictures. She became one of the studio’s top stars, thanks to her performances in a series of hit comedies, including:
- The Whole Town’s Talking (1935) with Edward G. Robinson
- Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936) directed by Frank Capra
- You Can’t Take It With You (1938), another Capra classic
- Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), starring alongside James Stewart
Peak Career & Later Work
Arthur’s peak came in the early 1940s, when she starred in:
- The Talk of the Town (1942) with Cary Grant
- The More the Merrier (1943), which earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress
She retired from films in the mid-1940s but made a brief comeback in Shane (1953), playing opposite Alan Ladd in one of her most memorable roles.
Personal Life & Legacy
Arthur was known to be shy and intensely private, often avoiding publicity. She married producer Frank Ross in 1932, but they divorced in 1949. After retiring from Hollywood, she taught drama at Vassar College, where one of her students was Meryl Streep.
Jean Arthur passed away on June 19, 1991, at the age of 90. She is remembered as one of the greatest comedic actresses of classic Hollywood, praised for her charm, wit, and everywoman appeal.
