Joan Lorring American actress, Oscar nominee in 1945. Date of Birth: 17.04.1926 Country: USA

Biography of Joan Lorring

Joan Lorring was an American actress, best known for her role in the film "Song of Russia" which earned her an Academy Award nomination in 1945. Born as Mary Magdalene Ellis in Hong Kong, she and her mother moved to the United States in 1939 due to the threat from the Japanese. They settled in San Francisco, California, where Ellis found her first job in the entertainment industry working for a local radio station.

In 1944, Ellis made her film debut in "Song of Russia," which marked her transition to being known as Joan Lorring. The film depicted the story of two Americans - a conductor and his manager - who traveled to Russia during World War II. While on tour, the conductor began a romance with a Russian pianist, and the film also showcased the lives of ordinary Soviet citizens. "Song of Russia" garnered controversy for its perceived pro-Soviet sentiment, and its creators faced scrutiny from the House Un-American Activities Committee.

In the same year, Lorring also appeared in "The Bridge of San Luis Rey." The following year, she portrayed Bessie Watty in the film "The Corn is Green" alongside Bette Davis, which earned her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the Academy Awards. However, she did not win the award, which went to Anne Revere for her role in "National Velvet."

Despite her early successes, Lorring's career began to decline in the late 1940s. Determined to continue acting, she sought opportunities in other areas such as theater and television. In 1950, she starred in the Broadway production of "Come Back, Little Sheba." Around the same time, Lorring started appearing on television, taking on both minor and leading roles in shows like "Valiant Lady" and "Norby."

Towards the end of her career, Lorring had a small role in the soap opera "Ryan's Hope." Her final acting role was in the popular soap opera "Love Boat" in 1980. Outside of her career, Lorring was married to New York endocrinologist Martin Sonenberg, and they had two daughters together. She passed away on May 30, 2014, at the age of 88, in her home in a suburb of New York.