Actress. She is best remembered for her portrayal of the strong-willed Ruth Cameron in "The Big Trail" (1930). Born into a prominent theatrical family, the daughter of producer Edward Paycen Churchill, following her formal education at the Professional Children's School, she joined the Theatre Guild and began her career as a leading lady on the Broadway stage appearing in such productions as "And Now Goodbye," "Dinner at Eight," "The Inside Story," "Skidding," "The Wild Man of Borneo," "Why Not?," and "House of Shadows." After being discovered by a talent scout, she was brought out to California for several screen and vocal tests and upon being reviewed by director Norman Taurog, he was so impressed by her dark good looks, slim physique, and articulate voice, he took notice of her potential and arranged for her to begin a career in the film industry beginning with her appearing under his supervision per a major role in "The Diplomats" (1929). From there, she would go on to flourish as a notable character actress appearing in over 30 features; often typecast as wives, mothers, nurses, secretaries, faithful friends, love interests, eccentrics, detectives, reporters, columnists, playgirls, foreigners, exotics, femme fatales, gold diggers, chorines, manicurists, retail clerks, businesswomen, busybodies, gossips, gangster molls, companions, and, in her later years, matriarchs. She appeared in such feature films as "Furnace Trouble" (1929), "The Valiant" (1929), "Pleasure Crazed" (1929), "They Had to See Paris" (1929), "Seven Faces" (1929), "Harmony at Home" (1930), "Born Reckless" (1930), "Good Intentions" (1930), "Girls Demand Excitement" (1931), "Charlie Chan Carries On" (1931), "Quick Millions" (1931), "Riders of the Purple Sage" (1931), "Ambassador Bill" (1931), "Forgotten Commandments" (1932), "Girl Without a Room" (1933), "Without Children" (1935), "Speed Devils" (1935), "Man Hunt" (1936), "The Walking Dead" (1936), "Dracula's Daughter" (1936), "Murder by an Aristocrat" (1936), "The Final Hour" (1936), "Alibi for Murder" (1936), "Legion of Terror" (1936), and "Bunco Squad" (1950). During her career, she was an honorary member of Actors Equity, had been a member of the Screen Actors Guild, was a member of the Hollywood Republican Committee, had been a regular parishioner of the Catholic church, was the first leading lady actor John Wayne ever had, had been considered for the role of Scarlett O'Hara in "Gone with the Wind" (1939), presided on her local charters of the American Red Cross and the Boys & Girls Clubs, was a glamour model for photographer George Hurrell, had been a theatrical instructor for the Neighborhood Playhouse, and she was married to character actor George O'Brien from 1933 to 1948 and too sculptor Peter Ganine from 1954 to 1965 (both unions ended in divorce and from her first marriage she produced three children; two of whom became author Darcy O'Brien and musician Orin O'Brien). After starring in a rare television appearance on an episode of "Fireside Theatre", she retired from acting in 1952 and spent the final years of her life traveling around the world, had been a generous benefactor for several public schools and libraries, and was involved in charitable and religious ventures, until her death.