Linda Darnell facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Linda Darnell
Darnell around the 1940s
Born	Monetta Eloyse Darnell (1923-10-16)October 16, 1923 Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Died	April 10, 1965(1965-04-10) (aged 41) Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Resting place	Union Hill Cemetery, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1939–1965
Spouse(s)	Peverell Marley ​ ​ (m. 1943; div. 1951)​ Phillip Liebmann ​ ​ (m. 1954; div. 1955)​ Merle Roy Robertson ​ ​ (m. 1957; div. 1963)​
Children	1

Linda Darnell (born Monetta Eloyse Darnell; October 16, 1923 – April 10, 1965) was an American actress. She started as a child model and then became an actress in theater and movies. With her mother's encouragement, she made her first film in 1939. Throughout the 1940s, she appeared in many major films for 20th Century Fox. She often starred with Tyrone Power in adventure movies. Linda became a main character actress after her role in Forever Amber (1947). She received great praise for her work in Unfaithfully Yours (1948) and A Letter to Three Wives (1949).

Early Life and Dreams

Linda Darnell was born in Dallas, Texas. She was one of four children born to Calvin Roy Darnell and Margaret "Pearl" Brown. Her mother, Pearl, had big dreams for Linda in the entertainment world. Linda started modeling at age 11 and was acting on stage by 13. She began modeling to help her family earn money. She also took part in many beauty contests.

Linda once said that her mother really pushed her. She felt her mother wanted to be a movie star herself and achieved it through her. An old teacher remembered Linda as sweet and thoughtful. She wasn't the best in theater, but her mother always supported her.

Before moving to Hollywood, Linda went to Sunset High School. She studied Spanish and art there. In 1936, she joined the Dallas Little Theater. She also worked as a hostess at the Texas Centennial Exposition.

In 1937, a talent scout from 20th Century Fox came to Dallas. Linda met him, and he invited her for a screen test in Hollywood. She went to California in 1938. However, film studios first sent her home because they thought she was "too young."

Starting Her Acting Career

Linda Darnell wanted to be a stage actress. But she soon got a contract with 20th Century-Fox. At just 15 years old, she moved to Hollywood in April 1939. Her first film was Hotel for Women (1939). Newspapers immediately called her Hollywood's newest star. The studio said she was 19, but her real age came out later that year. She became one of the few young actresses to play lead roles.

While making Hotel for Women, Linda was also cast in Drums Along the Mohawk (1939). However, she was later replaced in that film. Linda admitted that making movies was harder than she thought. She said, "I'm learning what really hard work is."

Linda often worked with Tyrone Power. She was excited to star opposite him in Day-Time Wife (1939). Critics praised her performance, calling her a "splendid actress." Life magazine even called her "the most physically perfect girl in Hollywood." After this, she starred in Star Dust (1939). This film made her even more popular. She was called "Hollywood's loveliest and most exciting star."

Becoming a Star

In May 1940, Linda Darnell starred in her first big-budget film. It was Brigham Young (1940), again with Tyrone Power. They became a very popular on-screen couple. The film's director, Henry Hathaway, remembered Linda as a very sweet person.

Later in 1940, Linda worked on The Mark of Zorro. She played Tyrone Power's love interest again. This adventure film was a huge success. It greatly boosted Linda's fame. Next, she worked with Henry Fonda in Chad Hanna (1940). This was her first Technicolor film.

Her next film, Blood and Sand (1941), brought her great critical praise. However, Linda later felt her career started to decline after this movie. The studio struggled to find her suitable roles. She was disappointed when other actresses got parts she wanted. She also helped with the war effort, working for the Red Cross and selling war bonds. She was a regular at the Hollywood Canteen.

Challenges in Her Career

In 1942, Linda filmed The Loves of Edgar Allan Poe. She felt that the studio head, Darryl F. Zanuck, had lost interest in her. She was given roles she didn't like. For example, she was replaced in the musical Orchestra Wives (1942). As a result, she was loaned out to another studio for a smaller role in City Without Men (1943).

In 1943, she played the Virgin Mary in The Song of Bernadette. By late 1943, Linda was tired of critics only praising her beauty. She wanted recognition for her acting. She was given smaller roles. But things changed when Look magazine named her one of the four most beautiful women in Hollywood in 1944. After this, she got a lead role in Summer Storm.

In 1945, she starred in Hangover Square, which was very successful. She then joined the cast of Fallen Angel (1945). She received great reviews for this film. There was even talk of an Oscar nomination. Because of her success, she was cast with Tyrone Power in Captain from Castile. However, she was later replaced due to scheduling issues.

In 1946, Linda filmed two movies at the same time: Anna and the King of Siam and Centennial Summer. She also worked on the Western film My Darling Clementine (1946).

New Success

In 1946, Linda Darnell won the main role in Forever Amber. This movie was based on a very popular historical novel. The character Amber was known for her red hair. This was the only major film where Linda, usually known for her dark hair, appeared as a redhead. It was the most expensive film Fox had made.

Linda replaced another actress in the role. A lot of money had already been spent on the film. So, there was huge pressure for it to do well. Linda was surprised to get the part. She was very happy to play the main role. She thought she was "the luckiest girl in Hollywood."

Playing Amber was very demanding. Linda had to go on a special diet. She also had a voice coach to learn an English accent. She spent many hours trying on costumes. Linda worked long hours and sometimes collapsed on set. Forever Amber did well at the box office, but many critics were disappointed. Linda was sad that the film didn't bring her the recognition she wanted.

The next year, Linda starred in Unfaithfully Yours (1948). Then she quickly made A Letter to Three Wives (1949). Her strong performance in A Letter to Three Wives earned her the best reviews of her career. Linda became one of Hollywood's most sought-after actresses. She now had the freedom to choose her own roles.

Many expected Linda to win an Academy Award nomination for A Letter to Three Wives. When she didn't, her career began to slow down.

Later Career and Television

Linda Darnell's later films were not as famous. One exception was No Way Out (1950), which she called "the only good picture I ever made." Her appearances became less frequent. Linda also gained weight, which affected her career. She disliked making Westerns because she was allergic to horses.

In 1951, Linda signed a new contract. This allowed her to work for different studios. She made The Lady Pays Off (1951) for Universal-International. She then filmed Saturday Island (1952) in Jamaica. Linda also starred in the film noir Night Without Sleep (1952).

Before going to Italy for a two-movie deal, Linda made Blackbeard the Pirate (1952). She then filmed Angels of Darkness (1954) in Italy. She also starred in the 3-D film Second Chance (1953) in Mexico. She even spoke Italian in Angels of Darkness.

Linda Darnell took a break from acting because of her husband, Philip Liebmann. She returned to acting in 1955. By then, studios were also making television shows. Linda appeared on General Electric Theater with Ronald Reagan. In 1958, she was on Cimarron City and Wagon Train.

Linda also returned to the stage. Her last acting job was in a play in Atlanta in early 1965.

Personal Life

Linda Darnell was tutored on film sets because she was underage. She graduated from University High School in 1941. She is a member of the Sunset High School Hall of Fame.

In 1943, at age 19, Linda married cameraman Peverell Marley. He was 42. Many friends and family did not approve. Linda and Marley could not have children. So, they adopted a daughter named Charlotte Mildred "Lola" Marley in 1948.

Linda and Marley separated in 1950. Linda was granted a divorce and custody of Charlotte. She later married brewery heir Philip Liebmann in 1954. This marriage also ended in divorce. Linda was married to pilot Merle Roy Robertson from 1957 to 1963.

Death and Legacy

Linda Darnell died on April 10, 1965. She suffered severe burns in a house fire the day before in Glenview, Illinois. She was staying at her former secretary's home. The fire started in the living room.

Linda was found near the burning sofa. She was taken to a burn unit in Chicago. A coroner's investigation ruled her death accidental. The fire was caused by careless smoking.

Linda Darnell's body was cremated. Her ashes were later buried in Union Hill Cemetery, Pennsylvania.

Linda Darnell has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1631 Vine Street.

Filmography

Radio Appearances

Images for kids

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  From A Letter to Three Wives (1949)

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  Darnell and Robert Newton in Blackbeard the Pirate

See also

In Spanish: Linda Darnell para niños