Ann Harding facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ann Harding
Ann Harding in 1930
Born	Dorothy Walton Gatley (1902-08-07)August 7, 1902 San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
Died	September 1, 1981(1981-09-01) (aged 79) Los Angeles, California
Resting place	Forest Lawn Memorial Park – Hollywood Hills
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1921–1965
Spouse(s)	Harry Bannister ​ ​ (m. 1926; div. 1932)​ Werner Janssen ​ ​ (m. 1937; div. 1963)​
Children	1

Ann Harding (born Dorothy Walton Gatley; August 7, 1902 – September 1, 1981) was a famous American actress. She worked in theatre, movies, radio, and television. In the 1920s, Ann was a regular star on Broadway, which is New York's famous theatre district.

In the 1930s, she became one of the first actresses to become well-known in "talking pictures." These were movies that had sound, which was a new and exciting invention back then. She was even nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in 1931 for her role in the movie Holiday.

Ann Harding was born Dorothy Walton Gatley. Her father was an important officer in the United States Army. She grew up mostly in East Orange, New Jersey. After high school, she decided to become an actress. Her father did not like this choice. So, she started using the stage name Ann Harding.

She began her acting career by reading scripts. Soon, she started getting roles on Broadway and in smaller theatres. In the late 1920s, she moved to California. This was to work in movies, which were just starting to have sound.

Early Life and Acting Start

Ann Harding was born Dorothy Walton Gatley on August 7, 1902. Her birthplace was Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. Her father, George G. Gatley, was a career army officer. Her mother was Elizabeth "Bessie" Walton Gatley.

Because her father was in the military, Ann traveled a lot when she was young. She later grew up in East Orange, New Jersey. She went to East Orange High School and also attended Bryn Mawr College. Her father strongly disagreed with her choice to become an actress. This is why she changed her name to Ann Harding when she started her career.

Ann Harding's Career Journey

Ann Harding's first job in entertainment was reading scripts. She then started acting. Her first appearance on Broadway was in a play called Like a King in 1921. A few years later, she found a special place at the Hedgerow Theatre in Pennsylvania. She often returned there to perform.

She quickly became a leading actress. Her clear speaking voice and strong stage presence helped her a lot. These skills were very useful for the new "talking pictures." In 1929, she made her first movie, Paris Bound. In 1931, she bought the Hedgerow Theatre building and gave it to the theatre company.

Becoming a Movie Star

Ann Harding first signed a contract with Pathé, a movie studio. This studio later became part of RKO Pictures. She was seen as a big star, similar to Norma Shearer at another studio. Ann acted alongside many famous stars. These included Ronald Colman, Laurence Olivier, and Gary Cooper. She often worked for other studios too.

At RKO, Ann Harding was known for "women's pictures." These were movies that focused on stories about women. Critics often praised her performances. They especially liked her clear speaking and stage experience. These were great skills for the new talking movies.

Her second movie, Her Private Affair, was very popular. During this time, many people thought she was one of the most beautiful actresses. Her long blonde hair was one of her most famous features.

Later Film Roles

Some of her popular films include The Animal Kingdom and Peter Ibbetson. However, Ann started to be seen in the same kind of role. She often played innocent, self-sacrificing young women. This made it harder for her to find different kinds of roles.

After she married conductor Werner Janssen in 1937, she acted less often. She returned to movies in 1942 for Eyes in the Night. She also took smaller roles in other films. In 1947, she played Mary in the Christmas movie It Happened on Fifth Avenue. In 1956, she acted with Fredric March again in The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit.

Leslie Howard and Ann Harding in The Animal Kingdom, 1932

Return to Stage and Television

In the 1960s, Ann Harding returned to Broadway after many years. In 1962, she starred in a play called General Seeger. In 1964, she appeared in Abraham Cochrane. Both plays had short runs.

Her final acting performance was in 1965. It was an episode of the television show Ben Casey. After this, she retired from acting. She lived in Sherman Oaks, California, until her death in 1981. She was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park – Hollywood Hills.

Personal Life

Ann Harding was married two times. Her first husband was actor Harry Bannister. They married in 1926 and divorced in 1932. They had one daughter, Jane Harding (1928–2005).

Her second husband was the conductor Werner Janssen. They married in 1937 and divorced in 1963. Ann Harding also had two stepchildren from this marriage, Alice and Werner Jr.

Ann Harding supported President Herbert Hoover in his reelection campaign in 1932.

Death

Ann Harding passed away on September 1, 1981. She was 79 years old. She died in Sherman Oaks, California. She was survived by her daughter, Jane Otto, and four grandchildren.

Recognition and Awards

Ann Harding received several honors for her acting career.

• On August 30, 1930, she was honored with a block in the forecourt of Grauman's Chinese Theatre. This is a famous place where movie stars are recognized.
• She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in 1931. This was for her role in the movie Holiday.
• Ann Harding has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. One star is for her work in movies. The other star is for her work in television. Both stars were placed on February 8, 1960.
• As of October 7, 2023, there is a special plaque inside the Hedgerow Theatre that remembers Ann Harding.

A plaque memorializing Ann Harding inside Hedgerow Theatre.

Broadway Stage Credits

Filmography

Films

Television