Carole Landis facts for kids

{{Infobox person | name = Carole Landis | image = Carole Landis-publicity.JPG | image_size = | caption = Carole Landis in 1941 | birth_name = Frances Lillian Mary Ridste | birth_date = (1919-01-01)January 1, 1919 | birth_place = Fairchild, Wisconsin, U.S. | death_date = July 5, 1948(1948-07-05) (aged 29) | death_place = Los Angeles, California, U.S. | resting_place = Forest Lawn Memorial Park | years_active = 1937–1948 | occupation = Actress, Singer | other_names = The Ping Girl and The Chest

| spouse =

Carole Landis (born Frances Lillian Mary Ridste; January 1, 1919 – July 5, 1948) was a talented American actress and singer. She became famous in the 1940s, especially for her lead role in the 1940 movie One Million B.C.. She worked for Twentieth Century-Fox and was known for her lively personality and beautiful voice.

Early Life and Beginnings

Carole Landis was born on January 1, 1919, in Fairchild, Wisconsin. She was the youngest of five children. Her mother, Clara, was from Poland, and her father, Alfred Ridste, was Norwegian-American.

In 1923, her family moved to San Bernardino, California. Her mother worked hard to support the family. When Carole was 15, she left San Bernardino High School to follow her dream of working in show business.

She started her career as a hula dancer and singer in a San Francisco nightclub. She changed her hair color to blonde and picked the name "Carole Landis" after her favorite actress, Carole Lombard. After saving $100, she moved to Hollywood to try and become a movie star.

A Star's Journey

Film Career Highlights

Carole Landis first appeared in movies as an extra in 1937, including A Star Is Born. She had many small roles until 1940. That year, director Hal Roach cast her as a cave girl in the movie One Million B.C.. This movie was a huge hit and made Carole Landis a star!

Carole Landis in Topper Returns, 1941

In the early 1940s, Carole starred in several successful films. She often played the second main female character. Unlike some actresses whose singing voices were dubbed, Carole's own voice was good enough for her musical roles. She signed a contract with Twentieth Century-Fox.

She acted alongside Betty Grable in the musical Moon Over Miami and the crime drama I Wake Up Screaming, both in 1941. Later, she appeared in films made in Great Britain, such as Noose and Brass Monkey.

Entertaining Troops During Wartime

Carole Landis was very dedicated to supporting soldiers during World War II. In 1942, she traveled to England and North Africa with a USO group. She performed with famous entertainers like Martha Raye, Mitzi Mayfair, and Kay Francis.

Two years later, she entertained soldiers in the South Pacific with Jack Benny. Jack Benny said that Carole always made time to visit wounded soldiers in hospitals. She showed great kindness and talked with them about their lives and families. Carole traveled over 100,000 miles during the war. She spent more time visiting troops than any other actress.

Broadway and Writing

In 1945, Carole Landis starred on Broadway in a musical called A Lady Says Yes. She also wrote many newspaper and magazine articles about her experiences during the war. In 1944, she wrote a book called Four Jills in a Jeep. This book was later made into a movie starring Carole herself, along with Kay Francis, Martha Raye, and Mitzi Mayfair.

Personal Life

Sgt. Bill Stewart and Landis around the 1940s

Landis and John Wayne, 1939

William Gargan and Landis, 1946

Carole Landis was married four times. She did not have any children. Her first marriage was at age 15 to Irving Wheeler in 1934. This marriage was later ended. They remarried, but it also ended in divorce in 1939.

In 1940, she married Willis Hunt Jr. in Las Vegas, but they separated after only two months. They divorced later that year.

While performing for soldiers in London in 1942, she met Captain Thomas Wallace. They married in January 1943. Their wedding was even featured in Life magazine. They separated in 1945 and divorced in July 1945.

On December 8, 1945, Carole married Broadway producer W. Horace Schmidlapp. They separated in 1947, and Carole filed for divorce in May 1948.

Later Life and Legacy

Grave of Carole Landis at Forest Lawn Glendale

Carole Landis passed away on July 5, 1948, at her home in Pacific Palisades, California. She is buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California. Many famous people attended her funeral, including Cesar Romero and Van Johnson.

Carole Landis has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1765 Vine Street. This star honors her contributions to the film industry.

Filmography

Radio Appearances

See also

In Spanish: Carole Landis para niños