Joan Crawford
Joan Crawford, born Lucille Fay LeSueur, was an iconic American actress of the early 20th century. Known for her distinctive voice, bold style, and impressive range of performances, Crawford’s career spanned five decades and left an indelible mark on Hollywood history. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at her biography, early life, net worth, career, awards, and family.
Biography:
Joan Crawford was born on March 23, 1904, in San Antonio, Texas. Her parents were both working-class, and her childhood was marked by poverty and instability. Crawford’s mother, Anna Bell Johnson, was a former showgirl who married Crawford’s father, Thomas LeSueur, in 1901. However, the couple separated soon after Crawford’s birth, and Anna Bell moved with her daughter to Lawton, Oklahoma.
Early Life:
Growing up, Crawford’s family struggled to make ends meet. Her mother worked as a laundry woman, and Crawford herself took on odd jobs to help support the family. In 1915, at the age of 11, Crawford was sent to St. Agnes Academy, a boarding school for girls in Kansas City, Missouri. There, she was introduced to the world of theater and began performing in school plays.
After graduating from St. Agnes in 1922, Crawford moved to Chicago to pursue a career in show business. She worked as a chorus girl in various stage productions before being discovered by a talent scout from MGM in 1925.
Career:
Crawford’s first film role was in the silent film “Lady of the Night” (1925). She quickly became one of MGM’s most popular leading ladies, starring in a string of successful films throughout the 1920s and 1930s, including “Our Dancing Daughters” (1928), “Grand Hotel” (1932), and “Mildred Pierce” (1945).
Crawford’s career hit a rough patch in the 1950s, as she struggled to find roles that suited her aging persona. However, she made a comeback in the 1960s with a series of horror films, including “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” (1962) and “Strait-Jacket” (1964).
Over the course of her career, Crawford appeared in over 80 films and was nominated for three Academy Awards, winning Best Actress for her role in “Mildred Pierce.”
Awards:
In addition to her Academy Award win, Crawford received numerous other awards and honors throughout her career. She was nominated for several Golden Globe Awards and won the award for Best Actress in a Drama for “Possessed” in 1948. She also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960.
Net Worth:
At the time of her death in 1977, Crawford’s net worth was estimated to be around $2 million. However, her estate was subject to a bitter legal battle between her two adopted children, Christina and Christopher, which further diminished her wealth.
Family:
Crawford was married four times and had four children. Her first husband was Douglas Fairbanks Jr., whom she married in 1929 and divorced in 1933. She then married Franchot Tone in 1935, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1939. Crawford’s third husband was actor Phillip Terry, whom she married in 1942 and divorced in 1946. Her final marriage was to Alfred Steele, the CEO of Pepsi-Cola, whom she married in 1955. Steele died in 1959, and Crawford never remarried.
Crawford also adopted four children: Christina, Christopher, Cathy, and Cindy. Her relationship with Christina, who wrote
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a scathing memoir about their difficult relationship, was notoriously strained. Christina accused Crawford of being emotionally and physically abusive, while Crawford denied the allegations.
Despite the controversy surrounding her personal life, Crawford remains a beloved figure in Hollywood history. She was known for her fierce independence, hard work, and determination, and she inspired generations of women to pursue their dreams and challenge societal norms. Her legacy continues to be celebrated in films, books, and other media.
In conclusion, Joan Crawford was a trailblazing actress who overcame a challenging childhood to become one of Hollywood’s most enduring stars. Her career spanned five decades and included numerous award-winning performances, and she remains an icon of strength and resilience to this day. While her personal life was marked by controversy and tragedy, her contributions to the entertainment industry and to the feminist movement have cemented her place in history as a true legend.
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