Jane Wyatt facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jane Wyatt
Wyatt in the 1930s
Born	Jane Waddington Wyatt (1910-08-12)August 12, 1910 Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, U.S.
Died	October 20, 2006(2006-10-20) (aged 96) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Education	Barnard College
Alma mater	Chapin School
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1931–1996
Spouse(s)	Edgar Bethune Ward ​ ​ (m. 1935; died 2000)​
Children	3
Awards	Emmy Award (1958, 1959, 1960)

Jane Waddington Wyatt (born August 12, 1910 – died October 20, 2006) was an American actress. She starred in many Hollywood movies. One of her most famous roles was in Lost Horizon.

Many people also know her as Margaret Anderson. This was her role as a loving mother on the TV show Father Knows Best. She also played Amanda Grayson, the human mother of Spock, in the science-fiction series Star Trek. Jane Wyatt won three Emmy Awards for her acting.

Early Life and Education

Where Jane Wyatt Grew Up

Jane Wyatt was born on August 12, 1910. Her birthplace was Campgaw, a small area in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. She grew up in Manhattan, a busy part of New York City.

Her father, Christopher Billopp Wyatt, worked as a broker. Her mother was Euphemia Van Rensselaer Wyatt. Jane had two sisters and one brother.

Jane Wyatt's School Days

While living in New York City, Jane went to Miss Chapin's School. There, she acted in school plays. She played famous characters like Joan of Arc and Shylock.

After high school, she studied for two years at Barnard College. Later, she joined an acting school. It was called the Berkshire Playhouse. For six months, she played many different roles there.

Stage and Film Career

Starting on Broadway

One of Jane Wyatt's first acting jobs was on Broadway. This is a famous theater district in New York City. She was an understudy for another actress in a play called Trade Winds.

Her acting on Broadway received good reviews. People also admired her quiet beauty. Soon, she moved from stage acting to movies. She signed a contract with Universal Pictures.

Jane Wyatt's Famous Movies

Jane Wyatt's first movie was One More River in 1934. Her most famous movie role was in Frank Capra's Lost Horizon (1937). She played the love interest of Ronald Colman's character.

She also appeared in other well-known films. These included Gentleman's Agreement with Gregory Peck. She was in None but the Lonely Heart with Cary Grant. Other movies were Boomerang and Our Very Own. She also acted in crime movies like Pitfall. She played the wife of Gary Cooper in the war movie Task Force.

Challenges in Her Film Career

Jane Wyatt's movie career faced difficulties. This was because she openly disagreed with Senator Joseph McCarthy. He led investigations against people he thought were Communists. This time was known as McCarthyism.

Her career was also affected because she helped host a performance by the Bolshoi Ballet. This happened during World War II. However, President Franklin D. Roosevelt had asked her to do it. Because of these issues, she returned to acting on the New York stage for a while.

Television Roles

Father Knows Best and Emmy Awards

Many people remember Jane Wyatt best from the TV show Father Knows Best. It aired from 1954 to 1960. She played Margaret Anderson, a devoted wife and mother. Her TV husband was played by Robert Young. The show was about the Anderson family in a small town.

This role earned her three Emmy Awards. She won for best actress in a comedy series in 1958, 1959, and 1960.

Other TV Appearances

After Father Knows Best, Jane Wyatt appeared in many other TV shows. In 1962, she starred in an episode of Wagon Train. In 1963, she was in Going My Way with Gene Kelly. She also appeared in The Virginian in 1964. In 1965, she was in an episode of The Alfred Hitchcock Hour.

Jane Wyatt in Star Trek

Jane Wyatt played Amanda Grayson in Star Trek. She was Spock's human mother. Her husband, Ambassador Sarek, was played by Mark Lenard. She appeared in the 1967 episode "Journey to Babel". She also played the role again in the 1986 movie Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. Jane Wyatt once said that she received more fan mail for her Star Trek role than for Lost Horizon.

She also made guest appearances in other shows. These included Here Come the Brides and Love, American Style in 1969. In 1970, she was in The Ghost & Mrs. Muir. Later, she played Anna, the mother of the Virgin Mary, in the 1978 TV film The Nativity. She also had a role in the 1980s medical drama St. Elsewhere.

Personal Life and Death

Jane Wyatt's Family Life

Jane Wyatt married Edgar Bethune Ward, an investment broker. They were married on November 9, 1935. Their marriage lasted until his death on November 8, 2000. They first met in the late 1920s. They were both guests of President Franklin D. Roosevelt at his home in Hyde Park, New York.

Edgar later became Catholic, like his wife. Jane Wyatt had a mild stroke in the 1990s. But she recovered well and stayed healthy for most of her long life.

When Jane Wyatt Passed Away

Jane Wyatt died on October 20, 2006. She was 96 years old. She passed away at her home in Bel-Air, California. She was survived by three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Filmography

Television films

Radio Appearances

Images for kids

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  Wyatt in Gentleman's Agreement

See also

In Spanish: Jane Wyatt para niños