Irene Dunne

Irene Dunne

American actress, one of the great Hollywood stars of the 30s and 40s.
Date of Birth: 20.12.1898
Country: USA

Content:
  1. Biography of Irene Marie Dunn
  2. Early Life and Education
  3. Acting Career
  4. Later Life and Legacy

Biography of Irene Marie Dunn

Irene Marie Dunn was an American actress, one of the great stars of Hollywood in the 1930s and 1940s. She was also a singer and was nominated for the Academy Award five times. Dunn is often referred to as the best actress who never received the prestigious award.

Irene Dunne

Early Life and Education

Irene Marie Dunn, born in Louisville, Kentucky, grew up in a family of a government inspector Joseph Dunn and pianist Adelaide Henry. She cherished her childhood memories of steamboat rides on the Mississippi River with her father. Unfortunately, Joseph Dunn passed away when Irene was just 11 years old. Widowed, Adelaide moved her children to Madison, Indiana.

Irene Dunne

Adelaide, who also gave music lessons in addition to her concerts, taught Irene to play the piano. Irene was interested in vocal techniques and honed her skills in local churches and school productions. She graduated from high school in 1916, with plans to become a teacher like her mother.

Irene Dunne

However, Irene had different plans. With a scholarship to the Chicago Musical College, she pursued her dreams. She completed her education in 1926 and briefly considered becoming an opera singer. Unfortunately, her audition at the Metropolitan Opera did not go well. Undeterred, Irene changed her surname from 'Dunn' to 'Dunne' and began her career in musicals.

Irene Dunne

Acting Career

Irene made her Broadway debut in 1922 but didn't achieve much success initially. However, by 1929, she had earned a stable reputation. While attending a dance in New York, Irene met Francis Griffin, a local dentist. Despite their different views on life, they eventually got married, and Irene decided to leave the theater.

In 1930, Irene appeared in her first film, 'Leathernecking.' She later moved to Hollywood with her mother and brother. Initially, the distance strained her relationship with her husband, but they managed to make their marriage work. In 1936, Francis finally joined Irene in California.

Irene Dunn was immensely popular in the 1930s and 1940s. She started with lyrical roles, which were familiar from her musical performances, and then ventured into comedy. The experiment proved successful, and it became evident that Irene was a highly talented comedic actress.

She retired from the film industry in 1952 but continued to make occasional appearances in various television productions. Irene attributed her departure to a lack of ambition, which she believed was common among her colleagues. Another notable difference was her strong family life. Irene and Francis had a very stable marriage, and they lived in a custom-built plantation-style mansion in Holmby Hills, California.

Later Life and Legacy

In 1938, Irene and Francis adopted a daughter since they didn't have any biological children. Irene Dunn passed away in her Holmby Hills home at the age of 91. She left behind a remarkable legacy as a talented actress and beloved Hollywood star.

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