Gloria Ruby Gordon
USA- Biography of Gloria Ruby Gordon
- Early Career
- Personal Life
- Later Career and Personal Life
- Gloria Gordon passed away on December 23, 1996, at the age of 59.
Biography of Gloria Ruby Gordon
Gloria Ruby Gordon was born on October 16, 1937, in Beverly Hills, California. Her parents were Leon Gordon, a British screenwriter, actor, and producer for MGM, and Georgia Spence, an actress who did not find success in the film industry.
Early Career
In the mid-1940s, young Gloria began acting in her father's films, showcasing her talent as an incredibly cute little girl. When 7-year-old Margaret O'Brien, a star of the MGM film studio, couldn't cry on cue during a scene with a snowman in the musical drama "Meet Me in St. Louis" (1944), Gloria would cry off camera for her.
In 1951, Gloria officially began her film career, signing a contract with 20th Century-Fox. Her first "adult" film was "O'Henry's Full House" (1952), a two-hour drama based on several short stories by the famous writer. Gloria played a small role as Ellie Mae in the episode "The Ransom of Red Chief." She also participated in the filming of an educational film about air exercises for the United States civil defense.
Personal Life
For a while, Gloria was seen in the company of the young actor Tab Hunter. However, they could not openly be in a relationship because Hunter was homosexual and did not publicly come out until his autobiography in 2005. All of his romances were a cover, as the studio could have terminated his contract.
In 1953, Cary Grant, a close family friend, introduced Gloria to race car driver Lance Reventlow, the son of socialite Barbara Hutton, one of the wealthiest heiresses in the world. Grant and Hutton had been married from 1942 to 1945, and Grant continued to care for Reventlow after their divorce. These relationships received full approval from Gloria's parents, and there were even rumors of an engagement, although Gloria was not yet 16 years old and Lance was only a year older.
Later Career and Personal Life
Meanwhile, Gloria played several modest roles in films such as "Niagara," "Titanic," "The Farmer Takes a Wife," and "Beneath the 12-Mile Reef." Although she didn't get a role in the epic biblical film "The Robe," she still participated in the filming as a model for a sculptor who created a statue of the huntress Diana, which was featured in the movie.
In November 1954, Gloria's close friend Charlotte Austin introduced her to musician and songwriter Johnny Anz. Gloria, Lance, Charlotte, and Johnny spent a lot of time together, although Johnny was significantly older than his young friends. A special relationship developed between him and Gloria, who was 22 years younger than Johnny.
In 1955, Gloria appeared in only one film, the biographical drama "A Man Called Peter." In June of that year, she graduated high school and unexpectedly ran away from home to marry Johnny Anz. Her father and 20th Century-Fox were furious. This action brought an end to Gloria's acting career, and she and her husband moved to New York to start a new life.
In 1964, Gloria and Johnny returned to Los Angeles to adopt a boy named John. On August 22, 1971, Johnny passed away at the age of 56, leaving 34-year-old Gloria widowed.
Gloria remarried on June 17, 1972, to Richard Daniels, an old friend. However, their friendship proved to be an unstable foundation for a happy marriage, and the couple divorced after just two years, remaining close friends.
In the late 1970s, Gloria partially returned to her acting career. She appeared in various commercials but in 1987, she left New York, moved to Alexandria, Virginia, and became a local realtor.
