Gloria DeHaven facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gloria DeHaven
Publicity photo, 1953
Born	Gloria Mildred DeHaven (1925-07-23)July 23, 1925 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Died	July 30, 2016(2016-07-30) (aged 91) Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Occupation	Actress, singer
Years active	1936–2000
Spouse(s)	John Payne ​ ​ (m. 1944; div. 1950)​ Martin Kimmel ​ ​ (m. 1953; div. 1954)​ Richard Fincher ​ ​ (m. 1957; div. 1963)​ ​ ​ (m. 1965; div. 1969)​
Children	4
Parent(s)	Carter DeHaven Flora Parker DeHaven
Signature

Gloria Mildred DeHaven (born July 23, 1925 – died July 30, 2016) was a talented American actress and singer. She was a "contract star" for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). This means a big movie studio hired her for many films.

Early life and family

Gloria DeHaven was born in Los Angeles, California. Her parents, Carter DeHaven and Flora Parker DeHaven, were also actors. They used to perform in vaudeville, which was a popular type of stage show with many different acts.

In 1983, a newspaper said that Gloria's real family name was O'Callahan. Her father later changed it legally to DeHaven.

Film career

Gloria started acting when she was a child. Her very first role was a small part in Charlie Chaplin's famous movie Modern Times in 1936.

Later, she signed a contract with MGM, a major film studio. She had important roles in movies like Best Foot Forward (1943) and Summer Stock (1950). In 1944, movie theater owners even voted her as one of the "stars of tomorrow."

She played her own mother, Flora Parker DeHaven, in the movie Three Little Words (1950). This film starred the legendary dancer Fred Astaire.

After not appearing in movies for a long time, Gloria returned to the big screen. She acted alongside Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau in the comedy Out to Sea (1997).

Music talents

Gloria DeHaven was not just an actress; she was also a great singer! She sang in many of her films, including I'll Get By and So This Is Paris.

She also sang with famous bands like Jan Savitt and Bob Crosby. Gloria even had her own show in nightclubs. In the 1950s, she often performed at the El Rancho Vegas hotel in Las Vegas.

Television roles

Gloria DeHaven appeared in many TV shows throughout her career. She was in popular soap operas like Ryan's Hope and As the World Turns.

She also guest-starred in many well-known TV series. Some of these include The Rifleman, Wagon Train, Flipper, Gunsmoke, and Murder, She Wrote.

From 1969 to 1971, Gloria hosted a morning movie show in New York City. She also appeared as a guest on the game show Match Game 75.

Stage performances

Gloria made her first appearance on Broadway in 1955. She played Diane in the musical Seventh Heaven. She also toured in a summer theater production of No, No, Nanette.

Personal life

Gloria DeHaven in 1998

Gloria DeHaven was married four times. She had two children with her first husband, actor John Payne. Their names were Kathleen Hope and Thomas John. She also had two children, Harry and Faith, with her third husband, Richard Fincher.

Gloria has a special star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It is located at 6933 Hollywood Boulevard.

She was a strong supporter of the Republican Party. Gloria believed that eating organic foods and having faith helped her stay looking young.

Death

Gloria DeHaven passed away on July 30, 2016, in Las Vegas. She was 91 years old. She had a stroke a few months before her death. She was survived by her four children.

Filmography

Films

Television

Stage work

• Seventh Heaven (1955)
• The Unsinkable Molly Brown (1963)
• The Sound of Music (1964)
• Golden Boy (1968)
• Plaza Suite (1971)
• Hello, Dolly (1973)
• No, No, Nanette (1983)
• A High-Time Salute to Martin and Blane (1991) (benefit concert)

Radio appearances