An American actress best known since marriage as Helene Reynolds, Kenyon Fortescue was born on 4 July 1914. Through her mother, Grace Fortescue (1883–1979), she was a grandniece (and cousin twice removed) of Alexander Graham Bell, who invented the telephone. Through her father Granville Roland Fortescue (1875–1952), she was a first cousin once removed of US President Theodore Roosevelt. She grew up in Washington D.C. and attended the National Cathedral School for Girls. She married Julian Louis Reynolds, son of Richard S. Reynolds, Sr. and heir to the Reynolds aluminum and tobacco fortunes, on 15 July 1936, in Washington, becoming Helene Fortescue Reynolds. They had one son, Richard "Roland" Reynolds (he died in a 1966 accident at age 29). After three years of marriage, Helene and Julian divorced in May 1939. She became an actress, using the stage names of Joyce Gardner, Helene Whitney and Helene Reynolds, appeared in films in the late 1930s and 1940s and later in stage productions. After her acting career ended, she became a Manhattan art gallery proprietor and artist in the 1960s. She died of cancer at home on 27 March 1990.
Please note: Ms. Reynolds' original given name was Kenyon.
Please note: Ms. Reynolds' original given name was Kenyon.
An American actress best known since marriage as Helene Reynolds, Kenyon Fortescue was born on 4 July 1914. Through her mother, Grace Fortescue (1883–1979), she was a grandniece (and cousin twice removed) of Alexander Graham Bell, who invented the telephone. Through her father Granville Roland Fortescue (1875–1952), she was a first cousin once removed of US President Theodore Roosevelt. She grew up in Washington D.C. and attended the National Cathedral School for Girls. She married Julian Louis Reynolds, son of Richard S. Reynolds, Sr. and heir to the Reynolds aluminum and tobacco fortunes, on 15 July 1936, in Washington, becoming Helene Fortescue Reynolds. They had one son, Richard "Roland" Reynolds (he died in a 1966 accident at age 29). After three years of marriage, Helene and Julian divorced in May 1939. She became an actress, using the stage names of Joyce Gardner, Helene Whitney and Helene Reynolds, appeared in films in the late 1930s and 1940s and later in stage productions. After her acting career ended, she became a Manhattan art gallery proprietor and artist in the 1960s. She died of cancer at home on 27 March 1990.
Please note: Ms. Reynolds' original given name was Kenyon.
Please note: Ms. Reynolds' original given name was Kenyon.
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