Loretta Young, film actress, Hollywood superstar, classic "platinum blonde"

American actress Loretta Young, a megastar of Hollywood, was born on January 6, 1913 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Three years later the family moved to Los Angeles, and it decided the fate of little Gretchen (originally called the girl), she began to act in films. For the first time Loretta Young appeared on the set at the age of four, in the movie "Sea Sirens". In the shootings also took part her older sisters, Elizabeth and Polly Young.

First roles and secret wedding

Loretta studied at an elementary school at a convent, and when she finished her studies, she decided to become a movie actress. The first notable role she played in the film directed by Millard Webb "Whimsical, but pretty." Her character - a young Bit Part, was an ordinary girl with a completely predictable character and a young actress easily coped with her task. After this role, Loretta Young was able to sign a contract with the movie company Warner Bros..

When the actress turned seventeen, she secretly married Grant Withers, a twenty-five-year-old Hollywood actor. For this, Loretta Young ran away from home, as her parents were categorically against the early marriage of her daughter. A year later the marriage broke up and was canceled. And the former couple married a duet in the film with the symbolic title "Too Young for Marriage" by Too Young To Marry, directed by Mervyn Leroy. Loretta played the leading female role, Elenne Bumstead, and Withers performed the role of the main male character, Bill Clarke.

Alliance with a married actor

In 1935, the actress became acquainted with the then-sex symbol of America Hollywood star Clark Gable. The actor was older than Loretta for twelve years and, moreover, at that time was in legal marriage with Mary Langham, his second wife. The first time Loretta Young and Clark Gable met secretly, but in Hollywood, any secrets live only two or three days, after which they become available to the general public. So it happened this time.

Nevertheless, nothing prevented the development of a violent romance between two lovers, which resulted in the birth of Judy, the first illegitimate child of Clark Gable. The births took place in an environment of the strictest secrecy, though it surfaced to the surface many years later, when there was no longer any need to hide anything. Loretta Young and her daughter lived together for a long time, but Judy did not know who her parents were. She was inspired to believe that she was a foster child. And only after many years, Young admitted that she is a mother.

The first "Oscar"

Career in the movie for Loretta evolved successfully, in 1947, the actress starred in two roles at once, the film "The Bishop's Wife" directed by Henry Coster, the role of Julia, and in the movie Codman Potter, entitled "Farmer's Daughter," character Katherine Holstrom. Both works of the actress were awarded prizes. For the role of Katherine, she received an Oscar. Another "Oscar", but this time only in the form of a nomination, Loretta was honored for taking part in the film "Come to the stable", where she played a novice, sister Margaret.

The best roles

Especially it is necessary to note a film "Platinum blonde" directed by Frank Capra, in which Young played one of the main roles. Her character, journalist Gallagher, is hopelessly in love with her colleague Stu Smith. The subject of her adoration as if does not notice the emotional experiences of the girl. And when she shows insistence, Stu Smith tries to retire. Moreover, he decides to marry rich heiress Ann Skyler, whom he met while making a report about her family.

The role of Gallagher with a dramatic tinge demanded from Yang full of return. The actress tried to use all her talent, artistry and the little experience she had accumulated by the age of eighteen. In general, the young actress coped with her task, she managed to create an interesting, integral image.

Own program

Filming Loretta alternated with performances in her own show, which was called - "The Loretta Young Show." The program was shown on the television channel NBC. The series went on air for eight years and every time before the start of Lauretta, Young appeared on stage in fluttering clothes, as if presenting her show to the public.

Thanks to the series, the actress received three Emmy awards, after which she stopped performing, and in 1963 she finally left the show business. To somehow occupy herself, Loretta Young went headlong into charity along the lines of the Catholic Church.

Loretta Young, filmography

During her career, the actress starred in more than a hundred films. Below is a selective list of films in which Young starred.

• "Platinum blonde" (1931), the character of Gallagher.
• "The Fortress of Man" (1933), the role of Trina.
• "Midnight Mary" (1933), the character Mary Martin.
• "House of the Rothschilds" (1934), the role of Julia Rothschild.
• "Born bad" (1934), the role of Letty Strong.
• "Crusades" (1935), the character of Berendjari.
• "Cafe Metropol" (1937), the role of Laura Ridgway.
• "Love, this is news" (1937), character Tony Gateson.
• "Kentucky" (1938), the role of Sally Goodwin.
• "Suez" (1938), the character of Countess Eugénie De Montijo.
• "Four Men" (1938), the role of Miss Lynn Cherington.
• "The Wedding of a Doctor" (1940), the character of June Cameron.
• "Men in her life" (1941), the role of Lina Varsavina.
• "Farmer's Daughter" (1947), a character by Katherine Holstrom.
• "The Bishop's Wife" (1947), the role of Julia.
• "Accused" (1949), the character of Professor Wilma Tuttle.
• "The key to the city" (1950), the role of Clarissa Standish.

Many films with the participation of Loretta Young entered the Golden Fund of American cinema. In her honor were opened two stars on the Walk of Fame in Los Angeles. One personal, another for a significant contribution to American cinema.

One of the most popular movie actresses of the middle of the last century, Loretta Young, died on August 12, 2000 from cancer, at the age of eighty-seven. Buried at Culver City Cemetery.