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Irene Dunne Biography (1901?-1990)

Full name, Irene Marie Dunne; born December 20, 1901 (other sources say 1898,1904, or 1907), in Louisville, KY; died September 4, 1990, in Hollywood, CA;daughter of Joseph John and Adelaide Antoinette (Henry) Dunne; married Francis D. Griffin, July 16, 1928 (died, 1965); children: Mary Frances.

Nationality

American

Gender

Female

Occupation

actress, singer

Birth Details

December 20, 1901?

Louisville, Kentucky, United States

Death Details

September 4, 1990

Hollywood, California, United States

Famous Works

• Credits; Stage Appearances
• (Broadway debut) Tessie, The Clinging Vine, Knickerbocker Theatre,New York City, 1922.
• Grace Bartlett, The City Chap, Liberty Theatre, New York City, 1925.
• Diana, Yours Truly, Shubert Theatre, New York City, 1927.
• Polly, She's My Baby, Globe Theatre, New York City, 1928.
• Arlette, Luckee Girl, Casino Theatre, New York City, 1928.
• Made stage debut in Irene, Chicago, 1920; also appeared in Lollipop, as Magnolia in Show Boat, and in a touring production of Sweetheart Time.
• Credits; Film Appearances
• Delphine, Leathernecking (also known as Present Arms), RKORadio Pictures, 1930.
• Helene Andrews, Bachelor Apartment, RKO Radio Pictures, 1931.
• Sabra Cravat, Cimarron, RKO Radio Pictures, 1931.
• Mary, Consolation Marriage (also known as Married in Haste), RKO Radio Pictures, 1931.
• Diana Page, The Great Lover, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), 1931.
• Back Street, Universal, 1932.
• Jessica, Symphony of Six Million (also known as Melody of Life), RKO Radio Pictures, 1932.
• Laura Stanhope, Thirteen Women, RKO Radio Pictures, 1932.
• Title role, Ann Vickers, RKO Radio Pictures, 1933.
• Sarah Cazenove, If I Were Free (also known as Behold We Live), RKO Radio Pictures, 1933.
• Sally, The Secret of Madame Blanche, MGM, 1933.
• Anna Stanley, No Other Woman, RKO Radio Pictures, 1933.
• Christina Phelps, The Silver Cord, RKO Radio Pictures, 1933.
• Countess Ellen Olenska, Age of Innocence, RKO Radio Pictures, 1934.
• Hilda Bouverie, Stingaree, RKO Radio Pictures, 1934.
• Toni Dunlap, This Man Is Mine, RKO Radio Pictures, 1934.
• Stephanie, Roberta, RKO Radio Pictures, 1934.
• Helen Hudson, Magnificent Obsession, Universal, 1935.
• Adeline Schmidt, Sweet Adeline, Warner Bros., 1935.
• Magnolia Hawks, Show Boat, Universal, 1936.
• Theodora Lynn, Theodora Goes Wild, Columbia, 1936.
• Lucy Warriner, The Awful Truth, Columbia, 1937.
• Sally Watterson, High Wide and Handsome, Paramount, 1937.
• Margaret "Maggie" Garret, Joy of Living, RKO Radio Pictures, 1938.
• Terry McKay, Love Affair, RKO Radio Pictures, 1939.
• Eleanor Wayne, Invitation to Happiness, Paramount, 1939.
• Helen, When Tomorrow Comes, Universal, 1939.
• Ellen Arden, My Favorite Wife, RKO Radio Pictures, 1940.
• Julie Gardiner Adams, Penny Serenade, Columbia, 1941.
• Nancy Andrews, Unfinished Business, Universal, 1941.
• Jane Palmer, Lady in a Jam, Universal, 1942.
• Dorinda Durston, A Guy Named Joe, MGM, 1943.
• Susan Dunn Ashwood, The White Cliffs of Dover, MGM, 1944.
• Anne Crandall, Together Again, Columbia, 1944.
• Paula Wharton, Over 21, Columbia, 1945.
• Anna, Anna and the King of Siam, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1946.
• Vinnie Day, Life with Father, Warner Bros., 1947.
• Mama, I Remember Mama, RKO Radio Pictures, 1948.
• Kay, Never a Dull Moment, RKO Radio Pictures, 1950.
• Queen Victoria, The Mudlark, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1950.
• Polly Baxter, It Grows on Trees, Universal, 1952.
• Also appeared in The Stolen Jools (also known as The Slippery Pearls), 1931.
• Credits; Television Appearances
• Hostess, Playhouse of Stars (anthology), CBS, 1952.
• Hostess, Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (series), CBS, 1952.
• Appeared in Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts, CBS, 1985, It's Showtime, Ford Television Theatre, The June AllysonShow, The Loretta Young Show, and The General Electric Theatre.
• Credits; Radio Appearances
• Recreated numerous film roles for the Lux Radio Theatre, 1940-51.

Further Reference

Obituaries and Other Sources: Periodicals

• Film Comment, January-February, 1980.
• New York Times, September 6, 1990, p. D21.