Edwina Booth American actress Date of Birth: 13.09.1904 Country: USA

Biography of Edwin B. Tutt

Edwin B. Tutt was an American actress best known for her role as the 'white goddess' Nina Trent in the adventure melodrama film 'Trader Horn' in 1931. Born Josephine Constance Woodruff on September 13, 1904, in Provo, Utah, U.S., Tutt began her short film career in 1928 with Dorothy Arzner's drama 'Manhattan Cocktail', alongside Nancy Carroll and Richard Arlen. The media company 'Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer' was so impressed with Tutt that she was offered the lead role in the new melodrama 'Trader Horn', set in the jungles, alongside Harry Carey. The film was shot in East Africa with a fairly large budget, and 'Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer' believed it would increase its commercial appeal. However, the production crew had little experience and was poorly prepared for filming in Africa, especially when the media company decided at the last minute to make the film with sound.

Tutt contracted malaria during the filming, adding to the challenges of shooting in the intense heat and dealing with insects. Her role as the 'white goddess' required minimal clothing, which likely increased the risk of infection. Despite the numerous filming problems, 'Trader Horn' was successful and received an Oscar nomination for Best Picture. However, Tutt's personal life did not fare as well. She spent six years trying to regain her health and filed a lawsuit against 'Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer', demanding over a million dollars, claiming that she was not provided with proper protection during the African shoots. Tutt also stated that she was forced to sunbathe naked for an extended period while filming the movie. This incident attracted tabloid attention and was ultimately settled out of court.

Having overcome a serious illness, Tutt announced that she would dedicate her time to rest and donate a significant portion of her earnings to alleviate human suffering. She said, "My years of illness were not in vain... I have learned to love humanity." Tutt was married three times. Her first marriage to Anthony Shuck was annulled shortly after her return from Africa. On November 21, 1951, she married Urial Leo Higham, who passed away in 1957. Finally, in 1959, Tutt married Reinold Fehlberg, who left her a widow in 1983.

In addition to the famous film 'Trader Horn', Tutt appeared in the action film 'The Vanishing Legion', the detective film 'The Midnight Patrol', and the adventure action film 'The Last of the Mohicans' with Harry Carey, as well as the comedy 'Trapped in Tia Juana'. She was unable to revive her acting career, although she continued to receive fan mail until her death. No longer a target of the paparazzi, Tutt became more active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, frequently attending the Los Angeles California Temple. There were many false rumors and reports of her death, but she actually passed away on May 18, 1991, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 86. Tutt was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Santa Monica.