Elizabeth Jean Peters American actress Date of Birth: 15.10.1926 Country: USA

1. Biography of Elizabeth Jean Peters
2. Early Life and Education
3. Entry into the Entertainment Industry
4. Early Film Career
5. Recognition and Personal Life

Biography of Elizabeth Jean Peters

Elizabeth Jean Peters was an American actress who became a star at the '20th Century Fox' company in the late 1940s and early 1950s. She was the second wife of aviator, engineer, and director Howard Hughes, and a close friend of Marilyn Monroe. Peters is best remembered for her role as Candy in the thriller 'Pickup on South Street', as well as for her determination not to become just another sex symbol, preferring to portray "unglamorous" and practical women.

Early Life and Education

Elizabeth Jean Peters was born in Canton, Ohio. She grew up on a small farm and attended East Canton High School. After high school, she enrolled at the University of Michigan and later transferred to Ohio State University. She planned to become a teacher specializing in literature.

Entry into the Entertainment Industry

In the autumn of 1945, Peters won the "Miss Idaho" contest, beating twelve other finalists. With the support of photographer Paul Robinson, Peters won the grand prize of the contest, a screen test at '20th Century-Fox' studio. Robinson became her agent, accompanied her to Hollywood, and helped her secure a seven-year contract with 'Fox'. She decided to quit her studies in favor of an acting career, although she later regretted this decision and resumed her education between film shoots.

Early Film Career

Peters was initially cast to play an "ugly duckling" character in the musical film 'I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now' in 1947. However, she declined the role. She also auditioned for the role of a farm girl in the comedy 'Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hay!' in 1948 but was deemed unsuitable. Instead, she replaced Linda Darnell in the leading female role in the adventure drama 'Captain from Castile' in 1947. Her co-star in the film was Tyrone Power, and the movie became a hit. However, when offered a similar role in the western film 'Yellow Sky' in 1948, she refused, citing that her character was "too sexual." As a result, disappointed movie studios put her on a temporary hiatus.

Recognition and Personal Life

After her role in the drama 'Deep Waters', Peters was named one of the "discoveries of the year", sharing the title with Barbara Bel Geddes, Valli, Richard Widmark, and Wanda Hendrix. However, after marrying Howard Hughes, she decided to retire, making her final appearance in the film 'A Man Called Peter' in 1955, playing the character Catherine Wood Marshall. Peters left 'Fox' to focus on her personal life, ignoring producer Jerry Wald's advice not to leave Hollywood.

In 1971, Peters divorced Hughes and resumed her acting career. She later married television and film producer Stanley Hough and remained his wife until his death in 1990. Peters herself passed away from leukemia in 2000, in Carlsbad, California, two days before her 74th birthday. In an interview, she once stated her desire not to become a sex symbol, saying, "As a farm girl – I was born and raised near Canton, Ohio – I like a frank and honest approach, and that type of character resonates with me the most. Insinuations and intrigue are foreign to me."