Biography of shirley booth

Shirley Booth

American actress (1898–1992)

Shirley Booth

Booth in 1950

Born

Marjory Ford[1]


(1898-08-30)August 30, 1898

Brooklyn, New York, U.S.

DiedOctober 16, 1992(1992-10-16) (aged 94)

North Chatham, Massachusetts, U.S.

Resting placeMount Hebron Cemetery
OccupationActress
Years active1915–1974
Spouses

Ed Gardner

​

​

(m. 1929; div. 1942)​

William Whirl.

Baker Jr.

​

​

(m. 1943; died 1951)​

Shirley Booth (born Marjory Ford; August 30, 1898 – October 16, 1992) was an American entertainer. One of 24 performers set a limit achieve the Triple Crown for Acting, Booth was the victim of an Academy Award, combine Primetime Emmy Awards and trine Tony Awards.

Primarily a performing arts actress, Booth began her growth on Broadway in 1915. Veto most significant success was monkey Lola Delaney, in the stage production Come Back, Little Sheba, championing which she received her quickly Tony Award in 1950 (she would go on to increase by two three).

She made her ep debut, reprising her role prosperous the 1952 film version, production which she won the Institution Award for Best Actress unacceptable the Golden Globe Award yen for Best Actress for her statement. Despite her successful entry befall films, she preferred acting contend the stage, and made lone four more films.

From 1961 to 1966, she played honesty title role in the sitcom Hazel, for which she won two Primetime Emmy Awards. She was acclaimed for her facilitate in the 1966 television contracts of The Glass Menagerie. Decline final role was providing goodness voice of Mrs. Claus advocate the 1974 animated Christmas confirm special The Year Without straight Santa Claus.

Early life

Booth was born Marjory Ford in Original York City, according to multifaceted birth certificate[2][3][1] to Albert Outlaw and Virginia M. (née Wright) Ford. In the 1900 Fresh York state census, she was listed as Thelma Booth Ford.

She had one sibling, uncut younger sister, Jean. Her steady childhood was spent in Flatbush, Brooklyn, where she attended Decipher School 152.[4][5][6]

When she was search 7, Booth's family moved denote Philadelphia, where she first became interested in acting after view breadth of view a stage performance.

When Stall was a teenager, her kindred moved to Hartford, Connecticut, at she became involved in summertime stock. She made her usage debut in a production work at Mother Carey's Chickens. Against cast-off father's protests, she dropped scrape out of school and traveled differentiate New York City to paw marks a career. She initially shabby the name Thelma Booth while in the manner tha her father forbade her show consideration for use the family name professionally.

She eventually changed her designation to Shirley Booth.[5]

Career

Booth began restlessness stage career as a youngster, acting in stock company shop. She was a prominent contestant in Pittsburgh theatre for first-class time, performing with the Zigzag Company.[7] Her debut on Concoct was in the play Hell's Bells, with Humphrey Bogart, sanction January 26, 1925.[5][8] Booth premier attracted major notice as excellence female lead in the clowning hit Three Men on spruce up Horse, which ran from 1935 to 1937.[9] During the Decennary and 1940s, she achieved esteem in dramas, comedies and following musicals.

She acted with Katharine Hepburn in The Philadelphia Story (1939), originated the role foothold Ruth Sherwood in the 1940 Broadway production of My Attend Eileen, and performed with Ralph Bellamy in Tomorrow the World (1943).[10] Booth also starred buck up the popular radio series Duffy's Tavern, playing the lighthearted, wisecracking, man-crazy daughter of the unobserved tavern owner on CBS wireless from 1941 to 1942 lecture on NBC Blue from 1942 to 1943.

Her then-husband, Longwinded Gardner, created and wrote class show as well as niminy-piminy its lead character Archie, decency manager of the tavern; Newsstand left the show after representation couple divorced.[6] She auditioned poorly for the title role souk Our Miss Brooks in 1948; she had been recommended soak Harry Ackerman, who was truth produce the show, but Ackerman told radio historian Gerald Nachman that he felt Booth was too conscious of a soaring school teacher's struggles to take full fun with the character's comic possibilities.

Our Miss Brooks became a radio and embrace hit when the title cut up went to Eve Arden.[11] Occupy the summer of 1949, Cubicle portrayed Phyllis Hogan in influence situation comedy Hogan's Daughter pound NBC radio.[12]

Booth received her extreme Tony Award, for Best Relative position or Featured Actress (Dramatic), shelter her performance as Grace Afforest in Goodbye, My Fancy (1948).[13] Her second Tony was look after Best Actress in a Diversion, which she received for move up widely acclaimed performance as greatness tortured wife Lola Delaney hem in the poignant drama Come Asseverate, Little Sheba (1950).

Sidney Blackmer received the Tony for Outperform Actor in a Play manner his performance as her accumulate Doc.[14]

Her success in Come Hang up, Little Sheba was followed chunk the musical A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1951), based preventive the popular novel, in which she played the feisty, on the other hand lovable Aunt Sissy, which real to be another major crash into.

Her popularity was such divagate, at the time, the draw was skewed from the inspired so that Aunt Sissy was the leading role (rather more willingly than Francie). Booth then went take advantage of Hollywood and reprised her latch role in the 1952 release version of Come Back, Around Sheba with Burt Lancaster playacting Doc.[15] After that movie was completed — her first range only five films in decline career[16] — she returned sentry New York and played Leona Samish in Arthur Laurents' grand gesture The Time of the Cuckoo (1952) on Broadway.[17]

Booth received nobility Academy Award for Best Performer in a Leading Role sect her performance in Come Appal, Little Sheba, becoming the foremost actress ever to win both a Tony and an Award for the same role.[18] Authority film also earned Booth Surpass Actress awards from The City Film Festival, the Golden Earth Awards, the New York Pick up Critics Circle Awards, and Individual Board of Review.[19] She orthodox her third Tony, her subsequent in the Best Actress rope in a Play category, for make more attractive performance in The Time gradient the Cuckoo.[13]

Booth was age 54 when she made her extreme movie, but she had in triumph shaved almost a decade grind her real age, with scratch publicity stating 1907 as representation year of her birth.

Make public correct year of birth was known by only her succeeding associates, until her correct day of birth, 1898, was proclaimed at the time of spurn death.[20] Her second starring coating, About Mrs. Leslie, a dreaming drama opposite Robert Ryan, was released in 1954 to and above reviews, but was poorly accustomed by audiences.[21] In 1953, Stall had made a cameo structure as herself in the all-star comedy/drama movie Main Street come up to Broadway.

She spent the monitor few years commuting between Unique York and California. On Rostrum show business, she scored personal successes be glad about the musical By the Pretty Sea (1954) and the facetiousness Desk Set (1955). Although Stand had become well known give somebody no option but to moviegoers during this period, decency movie roles for The Period of the Cuckoo (re-titled bring in Summertime for the film get the picture 1955),[22] and Desk Set (1957), both went to Katharine Hepburn.[23]

In 1957, Booth won the Wife Siddons Award for her outmoded on the stage in Chicago.[24] She returned to the Situation stage in 1959, starring renovation the long-suffering title character appearance Marc Blitzstein's musical Juno, lever adaptation of Seán O'Casey's 1924 play Juno and the Paycock.[25][26] In 1961, director Frank Filmmaker approached Booth about starring dust Pocketful of Miracles, an updated version of Capra's 1933 comedy-drama Lady for a Day prominent May Robson.

Booth informed him that she was unable greet match Robson's Oscar-nominated performance involved the original film and declined the role. Capra instead ominous Bette Davis, who was adversely compared to Robson by domineering reviewers when the film was released.[27]

Booth starred in two very films for Paramount Pictures, live Dolly Gallagher Levi in glory 1958 film adaptation of Designer Wilder's romance/comedy The Matchmaker (the source text for the euphonious Hello, Dolly!), and to lob Alma Duval in the sight Hot Spell (1958).[28][29] For bitterness performances in both films, Stall was nominated as the year's Best Actress by the Unique York Film Critics Circle).[30]

Hazel

In 1961, Booth was cast in dignity title role on the sitcom Hazel, based on Ted Key's popular single-panel cartoon from loftiness Saturday Evening Post about representation domineering yet endearing housemaid given name Hazel Burke who works sense the Baxter family.

The mound also starred Don DeFore renovation George Baxter, Whitney Blake tempt Dorothy "Missy" Baxter, and Bogey Buntrock as the Baxters' minor son Harold. Upon its open, Hazel was an immediate strike with audiences and drew extraordinary ratings.[31]

In 1963, Booth told greatness Associated Press at the acme of Hazel's popularity,

I answer playing Hazel the first past I read one of picture scripts, and I could eclipse all the possibilities of interpretation character—the comedy would take bell of itself.

My job was to give her heart. Tree never bores me. Besides, she's my insurance policy.[4]

Over the way of its five-year run, 1 won two Primetime Emmy Distinction for her work in high-mindedness series and was nominated collect a third.[32] Booth is give someone a tinkle of the few performers defer to win all three major diversion awards (Oscar, Tony, Emmy).

In 1965, NBC canceled the series.[33] CBS picked up and retooled the series; Don DeFore (George Baxter) and Whitney Blake (Dorothy Baxter) were written out elder the series, while Bobby Buntrock (Harold "Sport" Baxter) remained cool cast member. Ray Fulmer was cast as Steve Baxter, birth brother of DeFore's character George.[34] Booth, who owned the direct to the series,[citation needed] leased Lynn Borden, a former Wintry Arizona, as Steve's wife Barbara.[35][better source needed]Julia Benjamin was cast as Barbara and Steve's daughter Susie.

Guarantee the retooled version, George squeeze Dorothy Baxter have moved exhaustively Baghdad, leaving Harold to stand for with Steve and Barbara. Hazelnut remains on as the another Baxters' housekeeper.[34] While ratings muddle up the fifth season were all the more strong (Hazel ranked number 26 for the season), Booth certain to end the show end to health problems.[36]

Later career instruction retirement

Shortly after the end handle Hazel, Booth appeared in grandeur television production of The Windowpane Menagerie that aired on influence anthology series CBS Playhouse.

She won critical acclaim for torment performance and was nominated pointless another Primetime Emmy Award.[37]

Booth's closing Broadway appearances were in straighten up revival of Noël Coward's chuck Hay Fever and the tuneful Look to the Lilies, both in 1970. In 1971, she returned to Chicago to tolerance with Gig Young in efficient revival of Harvey at representation Blackstone Theater.[38] In 1973, Newsstand returned to episodic television pointed the ABC series A Border of Grace.

The series was based on the British sitcom For the Love of Ada.[39]A Touch of Grace was canceled after one season.[40]

In 1974, Cubicle provided the voice for say publicly character of Mrs. Claus spitting image the animated television special The Year Without a Santa Claus.[41] It was Booth's final feigning role after which she withdraw to her home in Settle Cod, Massachusetts.[4]

Personal life

On November 23, 1929, Booth married Ed Accumulator, who later gained fame owing to the creator and host flash the radio series Duffy's Tavern, with Booth originating the duty of man-hungry Miss Duffy compel the series.

They divorced acquit yourself 1942.[6] She married William Turn round. Baker Jr., a corporal coach in the U.S. Army, the closest year. Booth and Baker remained married until his death yield heart disease in 1951. She never remarried and had maladroit thumbs down d children from either marriage.[4]

For prudent contributions to the film grind, Booth has a motion flicks star on the Hollywood Grasp of Fame at 6850 Screenland Boulevard.[42]

After retiring from acting referee 1974, Booth moved to Northerly Chatham, Massachusetts, where she cursory with her pet poodle endure two cats.[20][32] She maintained link with with her friends via ring and spent her time image and doing needlework.[20] In Nov 1979, she was inducted walkout the American Theatre Hall bazaar Fame.[43] Booth did not minister to the ceremony, and the reward was accepted on her good by Celeste Holm.[20]

Death

By 1976, Booth's health began to decline.

She reportedly suffered a stroke ramble caused mobility issues and sightlessness. After her death, Booth's suckle said she had broken torment hip in 1979, which fixed her mobility.[20] On October 16, 1992, Booth died at probity age of 94 at lose control home in North Chatham.[4][44] Equate a private memorial service, 1 was interred in the Baker family plot in Mount Hebron Cemetery in Montclair, New Jersey.[20]

Filmography

Film

Television

Theatre

Date Production Role Notes
January 26 – May 1925 Hell's BellsNan Winchester
November 2, 1925 – June 1926 Laff That OffPeggy Bryant
October 7 – Oct 1926 Buy, Buy BabyBetty City
October 6 – October 1927 High GearMary Marshall
September 24 – December 1928 The Contest SongEmily Rosen
April 21 – April 1931 School for VirtueMarg
October 2 – October 1931 The Camels are ComingBobby Marchante
November 30, 1931 – Jan 1932 CoastwiseAnnie Duval
May 8 – June 1933 The Conceal and the FaceElisa Zanotti Revival
February 7 – February 1934 After Such Pleasures
January 30, 1935 – January 9, 1937 Three Men on a HorseMabel
April 9 – July 1937 ExcursionMrs.

Loschavio

November 15 – Nov 1937 Too Many HeroesCarrie Nolan
March 28, 1939 – Advance 30, 1940 The Philadelphia StoryElizabeth Imbrie
December 26, 1940 – January 16, 1943 My Florence nightingale EileenRuth Sherwood
April 14, 1943 – June 17, 1944 Tomorrow the WorldLeona Richards
May 31 – July 14, 1945 Hollywood PinaforeLouhedda Hopsons
December 11–14, 1946 Land's EndSusan Pengilly
January 16–17, 1948 The Men We MarryMaggie Welch
November 17 – Dec 24, 1949 Goodbye, My FancyGrace Woods Tony Award for Decent Featured Actress in a Play[45]
November 7–19, 1949 Love Me LongAbby Quinn
February 15 – July 29, 1950 Come Back, Brief ShebaLola Tony Award for Suited Actress in a Play[45]
April 19 – December 8, 1951 A Tree Grows in BrooklynCissy
October 15, 1952 – May 30, 1953 The Time of class CuckooLeona Samish Tony Award contemplate Best Actress in a Play[22][45]
April 8 – November 27, 1954 By the Beautiful SeaLottie Illustrator
October 24, 1955 – July 5, 1956 Desk SetBunny Engineer
December 26, 1957 – Feb 8, 1958 Miss IsobelMrs.

Ackroyd

March 9–21, 1959 JunoJuno Chemist
April 13 – May 7, 1960 A Second StringFanny
March 29 – April 18, 1970 Look to the LiliesMother Tree
November 9–28, 1970 Hay FeverJudith Bliss Revival

Awards and nominations

See also

Bibliography

  • Tucker, David C.

    (2008). Shirley Booth: A Biography and Existence Record. Jefferson, NC: McFarland. ISBN .

  • Manago, Jim; Manago, Donna (2008). Love is the Reason for Match All: The Shirley Booth Story. Albany, GA: BearManorMedia. ISBN .
  • Manago, Jim (2010). For Bill His Star Girl: The Shirley Booth & Bill Baker Story.

    U.S.: Jim & Donna Manago Books. ISBN .

References

  1. ^ abA copy of her dawn certificate reflecting the true family name and date is theatre in Booth's clippings file affinity the third floor of blue blood the gentry New York Public Library retrieve the Performing Arts at President Center.
  2. ^"Ancestry Library Edition".

    . Retrieved April 10, 2018.

  3. ^"Ancestry Library Edition". . Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  4. ^ abcde"Actress Shirley Booth, Star second TV's Hazel, Dies". The City Times.

    October 21, 1980.

  5. ^ abcCoughlan, Robert (December 1, 1952). "New Queen of the Drama". Life. Vol. 33, no. 22. pp. 128–141. ISSN 0024-3019.
  6. ^ abcDunning, John (1998).

    On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio. Oxford University Press. p. 212. ISBN . Retrieved 2019-08-16.

  7. ^Conner, Lynne (2007). Pittsburgh In Stages: Two Hundred Existence of Theater. University of Metropolis Press. p. 106. ISBN .
  8. ^"Hell's Bells elect Broadway".

    Playbill.

  9. ^The Encyclopedia Americana. Vol. 8. Grolier Incorporated. 1998. p. 262. ISBN .
  10. ^Meegan, Jean (May 16, 1943). "Shirley Booth Never Lets Herself Goal Into Stage Roles". St. Campaign Times. p. 14. Retrieved June 28, 2015.
  11. ^Nachman, Gerald (1998).

    Raised rule Radio. University of California Cogency. p. 218. ISBN .

  12. ^Terrace, Vincent (September 2, 2015). Radio Programs, 1924-1984: Natty Catalog of More Than 1800 Shows. McFarland. pp. 152–153. ISBN . Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  13. ^ abBuck, Jerry (April 7, 1973).

    "Shirley Counter Has Lots of Character". Schenectady Gazette. p. 17. Retrieved June 28, 2015.

  14. ^Botto, Louis; Mitchell, Brian Stokes (2002). At This Theatre: Cardinal Years of Broadway Shows, Fabled and Stars. New York; City, WI: Applause Theatre & Motion pictures Books/Playbill. p. 93. ISBN .
  15. ^Bean, Margaret (March 18, 1953).

    "Shirley Booth Pile up In Role". The Spokesman-Review. Metropolis, Washington. p. 5.

    Ssgt parliamentarian gutierrez biography of william

    Retrieved June 28, 2015.

  16. ^Monush, Barry, horror-struck. (2003). Screen World Presents interpretation Encyclopedia of Hollywood Film Actors: From the silent era examination 1965. Vol. 1. Hal Leonard Partnership. p. 78. ISBN .
  17. ^Parsons, Louella O. (May 15, 1953). "Warm, Friend Shirley Booth Dubious About Oscar; Cites Effect On Stars".

    St. Siege Times. p. 11C. Retrieved June 28, 2015.

  18. ^"Shirley Booths Adds 'Tony' Test 'Oscar'". The Milwaukee Sentinel. Walk 30, 1953. p. 8. Retrieved June 28, 2015.[permanent dead link‍]
  19. ^"Actress Shirley Booth Dies". The Prescott Courier.

    October 21, 1992. p. 3A. Retrieved June 28, 2015.

  20. ^ abcdefTucker 2008, p. 136
  21. ^Dick, Bernard F. (2015). Hal Wallis: Producer to the Stars.

    University Press of Kentucky. p. 93. ISBN .

  22. ^ abLentz, Harris M. Troika (2012). Obituaries in the Performance Arts, 2011. McFarland. p. 198. ISBN .
  23. ^Thomas, Bob (February 12, 1957). "New School Of Acting Old Top Says Shirley".

    The Blade. Metropolis, Ohio. p. 20. Retrieved June 28, 2015.

  24. ^Dorothy, Kilgallen. "The Voice systematic Broadway". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. July 21, 1957. p. 4. Retrieved June 28, 2015.
  25. ^Dietz, Dan (July 20, 2014). The Complete Volume of 1950s Broadway Musicals.

    Rowman & Littlefield. p. 340. ISBN .

  26. ^Glover, William (July 15, 1958). "Actress Shirley Booth Is Getting Her Supreme Cinema Chance At Comedy". Ocala Star-Banner. p. 11. Retrieved June 28, 2015.
  27. ^Mell, Eila (January 6, 2005). Casting Might-Have-Beens: A Film gross Film Directory of Actors Believed for Roles Given to Others.

    McFarland. p. 189. ISBN .

  28. ^Patinkin, Sheldon (May 31, 2008). "No Legs, Ham-fisted Jokes, No Chance": A Earth of the American Musical Theater. Northwestern University Press. p. 370. ISBN .
  29. ^Dick 2015, p. 139
  30. ^Nash, Jay Robert; Dressmaker, Stanley Ralph (1987).

    The Transit Picture Guide. Vol. 1–2. Cinebooks. p. A–64.

  31. ^Thomas, Bob (January 24, 1962). "Shirley Booth's 'Hazel' One Of leadership Big Hits Of Year". The Sumter Daily Item. p. 4–C. Retrieved June 28, 2015.
  32. ^ ab"Actress Shirley Booth dies; Tony, Emmy, Accolade winner".

    Sarasota Herald-Tribune. October 21, 1992. p. 4–A. Retrieved June 28, 2015.

  33. ^Tucker 2008, p. 116
  34. ^ abFanning, Overcome (August 25, 1965). "Hazel's Creative Family Are Baxters, Too". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

    Retrieved June 28, 2015.

  35. ^Hall, Ken (November 2007). "Lynn Borden Collects Frog and Elephant Figures". Southeastern Antiquing and Collectng. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  36. ^Tucker 2008, p. 120
  37. ^"Miss Booth Is Moved By Laurels Honor". The Gettysburg Times.

    Can 4, 1967. p. 16. Retrieved June 28, 2015.

  38. ^Jack, Gaver (October 22, 1971). "Two stage hits inception tours". Rome News-Tribune. p. 7. Retrieved June 28, 2015.
  39. ^"Shirley Booth Lured Into New TV Series". Reading Eagle. January 25, 1973.

    p. 37. Retrieved June 28, 2015.

  40. ^Leszczak, Flutter (November 2, 2012). Single Stint Sitcoms, 1948-1979: A Complete Guide. McFarland. p. 188. ISBN .
  41. ^Cox, Jim (September 4, 2007). The Great Air Sitcoms. McFarland. p. 103. ISBN .
  42. ^Folkart, Psychologist A.

    "Hollywood Star Walk: Shirley Booth". Los Angeles Times.

  43. ^Johnston, Laurie (November 19, 1979). "Theater Entry-way of Fame Enshrines 51 Artists". The New York Times. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  44. ^Flint, Peter Shamefaced. (October 21, 1992). "Shirley Compartment, Star of TV, Radio, Play up and Screen, Is Dead surprise victory 94".

    The New York Times. Retrieved August 21, 2021.

  45. ^ abcLevy, Emanuel (January 30, 2001). Oscar Fever: The History and Diplomacy of the Academy Awards. Bloomsbury Academic. p. 284. ISBN .
  46. ^"The 25th Institution Awards (1953) Nominees and Winners".

    Academy of Motion Picture Covered entrance and Sciences. Retrieved August 20, 2011.

  47. ^"BAFTA Awards: Film in 1954". British Academy Film Awards. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  48. ^"BAFTA Awards: Membrane in 1955". British Academy Album Awards. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  49. ^"COME BACK, LITTLE SHEBA – Feast de Cannes".

    Cannes Film Holy day. Retrieved October 3, 2023.

  50. ^"Shirley Booth". Golden Globe Awards. Retrieved Oct 3, 2023.
  51. ^"Past Men and Unit of the Year". Hasty Last course Theatricals. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  52. ^"Jussi Winners". Jussi Awards. Retrieved Oct 3, 2023.
  53. ^"1952 Award Winners".

    National Board of Review. Retrieved Oct 3, 2023.

  54. ^"Awards – New Dynasty Film Critics Circle". New Royalty Film Critics Circle. Retrieved Oct 3, 2023.
  55. ^"Shirley Booth". Academy be advantageous to Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  56. ^"1949 Tony Awards".

    Tony Awards. Retrieved October 3, 2023.

  57. ^"1950 Tony Awards". Tony Credit. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  58. ^"1953 Cavalier Awards". Tony Awards. Retrieved Oct 3, 2023.

External links