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Gloria Grahame

Actor

Gloria Grahame

Born November 28, 1923 in Los Angeles, California, USADied October 5, 198146 films

Gloria Grahame (November 28, 1923 – October 5, 1981) was an American actress.

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Grahame began her acting career in theatre, and in 1944 she made her first film for MGM. Despite a featured role in It's a Wonderful Life (1946), MGM did not believe she had the potential for major success, and sold her contract to RKO Studios. Often cast in film noir projects, Grahame received a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Crossfire (1947), and she won this award for her work in The Bad and the Beautiful (1952). She achieved her highest profile with Sudden Fear (1952), Human Desire (1953),The Big Heat (1953), and Oklahoma! (1955), but her film career began to wane soon afterwards.

She returned to work on the stage, but continued to appear in films and television productions, usually in supporting roles. Diagnosed with stomach cancer in 1980, Grahame refused to accept the diagnosis and travelled to England to work in a play. Her health rapidly failed and she returned to New York City, where she died in 1981.

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The best way into Gloria Grahame's work
It's a Wonderful Life posterFirst watchIt's a Wonderful Life19468.3as VioletGeorge Bailey has spent his entire life giving to the people of Bedford Falls. All that prevents rich skinflint Mr. Potter from taking over the entire town is George's modest building and…View film

Essential films

Ranked by acclaim and reach
In a Lonely Place poster7.6In a Lonely Place1950The Big Heat poster7.7The Big Heat1953The Bad and the Beautiful poster7.3The Bad and the Beautiful1952Sudden Fear poster7.2Sudden Fear1952The Greatest Show on Earth poster6.3The Greatest Show on Earth1952Oklahoma! poster6.6Oklahoma!1955Crossfire poster6.7Crossfire1947Human Desire poster6.7Human Desire1954

Filmography

46 films as actor
  1. 2025Akai Ito
  2. 1981The NestingFlorinda Costello
  3. 1981Mr. Griffin and MeMara Emerson
  4. 1980Melvin and HowardMrs. Sisk
  5. 1980A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley SquareMa
  6. 1980The Merry Wives of WindsorMistress Page
  7. 1979Chilly Scenes of WinterClara
  8. 1978The Dancing PrincessesThe Witch
  9. 1976Mansion of the DoomedKatherine
  10. 1974Mama's Dirty GirlsMama Love
  11. 1974The Girl on the Late, Late ShowCarolyn Porter
  12. 1973TarotNatalie
  13. 1972The LonersAnnabelle
  14. 1971ChandlerSelma
  15. 1971Black NoonBethia
  16. 1971The Todd KillingsMrs. Roy
  17. 1971EscapeEvelyn Harrison
  18. 1971Blood and LaceMrs. Deere
  19. 1966Ride Beyond VengeanceBonnie Shelley
  20. 1959Odds Against TomorrowHelen
  21. 1957Ride Out for RevengeAmy Porter
  22. 1956The Man Who Never WasLucy Sherwood
  23. 1955Oklahoma!Ado Annie Carnes
  24. 1955Not as a StrangerHarriet Lang
  25. 1955The CobwebKaren McIver
  26. 1954Naked AlibiMarianna
  27. 1954Human DesireVicki Buckley
  28. 1954The Good Die YoungDenise Blaine
  29. 1953Prisoners of the CasbahPrincess Nadja
  30. 1953The Big HeatDebby Marsh
  31. 1953Man on a TightropeZama Cernik
  32. 1953The Glass WallMaggie Summers
  33. 1952The Bad and the BeautifulRosemary Bartlow
  34. 1952Sudden FearIrene Neves
  35. 1952MacaoMargie
  36. 1952The Greatest Show on EarthAngel
  37. 1950In a Lonely PlaceLaurel Gray
  38. 1949RoughshodMary Wells
  39. 1949A Woman's SecretSusan Caldwell / Estrellita
  40. 1947Merton of the MoviesBeulah Baxter
  41. 1947Song of the Thin ManFran Page
  42. 1947CrossfireVirginia "Ginny" Tremayne
  43. 1947It Happened in BrooklynNurse
  44. 1946It's a Wonderful LifeViolet
  45. 1945Without LoveFlower Girl
  46. 1944Blonde FeverSally Murfin