Betty Field facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Betty Field
Field in 1942
Born	(1916-02-08)February 8, 1916 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died	September 13, 1973(1973-09-13) (aged 57) Hyannis, Massachusetts, U.S.
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1934–71
Spouse(s)	Elmer Rice ​ ​ (m. 1942; div. 1956)​ Edwin J. Lukas ​ ​ (m. 1957; div. 1967)​ Raymond Olivere ​ ​ (m. 1968)​
Children	3

Betty Field (born February 8, 1916 – died September 13, 1973) was a talented American actress. She was known for her work in both movies and on stage.

Early Life and Start in Acting

Betty Field was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Her parents were George and Katharine Field. She started acting even before she turned 15 years old! After finishing high school, she immediately joined a summer theater group. She also studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. A famous producer named George Abbott is often given credit for discovering her talent.

Shining on Stage: Broadway and London

Betty Field began her acting journey in 1934. Her first big role was in a play called She Loves Me Not in London, England. After that, she came back to the United States. She performed in many successful plays on Broadway, which is the most famous theater district in New York City.

Betty loved performing live on stage. Some of her well-known Broadway plays include Room Service (1937), What a Life (1938), The Voice of the Turtle (1943), and Dream Girl (1945). Her last stage performances were in 1971 at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.

Becoming a Film Star

With Zachary Scott in The Southerner (1945)

Field in a scene from Bus Stop (1956)

When Betty Field first started in movies, some people had doubts. A newspaper article from 1942 mentioned, "But she's not pretty," and "And her mouth is too large." However, Betty proved them wrong with her amazing acting skills.

Her role as Mae, the only female character in Of Mice and Men (1939), made her famous as a serious actress. She also starred with John Wayne in The Shepherd of the Hills (1941). Another important role was Cassandra Tower in Kings Row (1942).

Even though she loved Broadway, Betty often returned to Hollywood for films. She appeared in movies like The Southerner (1945) and played Daisy Buchanan in The Great Gatsby (1949). Later, she was in Picnic (1955) with William Holden and Kim Novak, and Bus Stop (1956) with Marilyn Monroe. She also acted in Peyton Place (1957) and Birdman of Alcatraz (1962) with Burt Lancaster. Her final movie role was in Coogan's Bluff (1968) with Clint Eastwood.

Television and Radio Appearances

Betty Field also made many guest appearances on popular TV shows. These included Route 66, The Untouchables, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and Dr. Kildare. She also acted on radio shows like The Aldrich Family and Suspense.

Her Personal Life

Betty Field was married three times. Her first marriage was to playwright Elmer Rice. They had three children: John, Paul, and Judith. Sadly, John passed away at age 40. Her second marriage was to Edwin J. Lukas. Her third marriage was to Raymond Olivere. Betty Field passed away on September 13, 1973, at the age of 57.

Filmography

See also

In Spanish: Betty Field para niños