Irene Tadrow

Irene Tadrow

American character actress of stage, film and television
Date of Birth: 03.08.1907
Country: USA

Content:
  1. American Character Actress of Theater, Film, and Television
  2. Early Life and Education
  3. Stage and Film Career
  4. Radio and Television Work
  5. Later Life and Legacy

American Character Actress of Theater, Film, and Television

Irene Tedrow was an American character actress of theater, film, and television. She was also the mother of another well-known actress, Enid Kent. Although Tedrow did not become famous for any particularly successful roles, she was known for the longevity of her career, much like many actresses of her time.

Irene Tadrow

Early Life and Education

Irene was born in Denver, Colorado. She developed a passion for acting as a teenager and began performing on stage. Tedrow pursued higher education at Carnegie Tech, now known as Carnegie Mellon University, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 1929, she earned a bachelor's degree with a specialization in dramatic arts.

Stage and Film Career

At the beginning of her career, Irene Tedrow was a charming and slender beauty. However, as the years passed, she was often typecast as strict middle-aged puritans and pragmatic mothers. Serious roles were few and far between, and her name in the credits was usually towards the end of the list. However, her stage career fared slightly better. Irene founded the Old Globe Theatre and often appeared in classical productions such as 'Richard III,' 'Hamlet,' and 'Henry IV, Part I.'

Radio and Television Work

During the war, Tedrow worked extensively in radio, most notably as Mrs. Janet Archer in the popular series 'Meet Corliss Archer.' This role helped her transition to television, where she worked for one season. On the radio, however, she had a nine-year run from 1943 to 1952. Irene also played numerous guest roles in shows like 'Dragnet,' 'The Andy Griffith Show,' and 'Twilight Zone.' She continued to appear in more recent shows such as 'Facts of Life,' 'St. Elsewhere,' and 'L.A. Law.'

Later Life and Legacy

Tedrow rarely landed recurring roles but made memorable appearances in episodic roles. In the 1960s, she was known as Mrs. Elkins in the comedic series 'Dennis the Menace.' Eventually, the actress gradually transitioned away from the stage and focused solely on television. Irene Tedrow passed away in Los Angeles at the age of 87.

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