Actress. A veteran performer whose career spanned six decades, she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as 'Aunt Belle Massey' in the 1938 romantic drama film "Jezebel" with Bette Davis and Henry Fonda. Born Fay Okell Bainter in Los Angeles, California, she got her start on the stage in 1908 in "The Country Chairman" at the a Burbank, California theater and in 1912 she debuted on Broadway in "The Rose of Panama". She went on to appear in other successful plays, including "East is West" (1918) and "Dodsworth" (1934)." In 1934 she broke into films with "This Side of Heaven," followed by three films in 1937, "Quality Street," "The Soldier and the Lady," and "Make Room for Tomorrow." In 1938 she was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as 'Hannah Parmalee' in "White Banners" (with Claude Rains and Jackie Cooper) and the same year was nominated for and won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in "Jezebel," becoming the first performer to receive nominations in two separate categories in the same year. During World War II, she served as an entertainer in hospital tours. Her other notable films include "Our Town" (1940), "Babes on Broadway" (1941), "The War Against Mrs. Hadley" (1942), "Journey for Margaret" (1942), "Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch" (1942), "Presenting Lily Mars" (1943), "Salute to the Marines" (1943), "Cry "Havoc"" (1943), "The Heavenly Body" (1944), "Dark Waters" (1944), "Three is a Family" (1944), "Deep Valley" (1947), "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" (1947), "June Bride" (1948), "Close to My Heart" (1951), and "The President's Lady" (1953). Her career then began to wane and in 1961 she appeared in her last film, "The Children's Hour." Her television appearances include "Lux Video Theater," "Studio One in Hollywood," "The Unites States Steel Hour," and "Robert Montgomery Presents." She died from pneumonia in Los Angeles, California at the age of 74. She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her contribution to films.
Actress. A veteran performer whose career spanned six decades, she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as 'Aunt Belle Massey' in the 1938 romantic drama film "Jezebel" with Bette Davis and Henry Fonda. Born Fay Okell Bainter in Los Angeles, California, she got her start on the stage in 1908 in "The Country Chairman" at the a Burbank, California theater and in 1912 she debuted on Broadway in "The Rose of Panama". She went on to appear in other successful plays, including "East is West" (1918) and "Dodsworth" (1934)." In 1934 she broke into films with "This Side of Heaven," followed by three films in 1937, "Quality Street," "The Soldier and the Lady," and "Make Room for Tomorrow." In 1938 she was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as 'Hannah Parmalee' in "White Banners" (with Claude Rains and Jackie Cooper) and the same year was nominated for and won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in "Jezebel," becoming the first performer to receive nominations in two separate categories in the same year. During World War II, she served as an entertainer in hospital tours. Her other notable films include "Our Town" (1940), "Babes on Broadway" (1941), "The War Against Mrs. Hadley" (1942), "Journey for Margaret" (1942), "Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch" (1942), "Presenting Lily Mars" (1943), "Salute to the Marines" (1943), "Cry "Havoc"" (1943), "The Heavenly Body" (1944), "Dark Waters" (1944), "Three is a Family" (1944), "Deep Valley" (1947), "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" (1947), "June Bride" (1948), "Close to My Heart" (1951), and "The President's Lady" (1953). Her career then began to wane and in 1961 she appeared in her last film, "The Children's Hour." Her television appearances include "Lux Video Theater," "Studio One in Hollywood," "The Unites States Steel Hour," and "Robert Montgomery Presents." She died from pneumonia in Los Angeles, California at the age of 74. She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her contribution to films.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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