June Travis
USABiography of June Travis
Early Life and EducationJune Travis, born as June Dorothea Grabiner, was born on August 7, 1914, in Chicago, Illinois. Her father, Harry Grabiner, served as the vice-president of the baseball team 'Chicago White Sox' and later the 'Cleveland Indians'. June grew up to be a beautiful young woman with green eyes and dark hair. She attended Parkside Grammar School in Chicago and later enrolled in the University of California, Los Angeles, where she studied dramatic arts. After returning to Illinois from Hollywood, she continued her education at the University of Chicago.
Early Career
June Travis caught the attention of the vice-president of 'Paramount Pictures' during a baseball game of the 'Chicago White Sox' in Miami, Florida. When the team visited Pasadena, California, she was offered a screen test. Although she initially felt uncomfortable in front of the camera and rejected the contract, she eventually accepted an offer from 'Warner Bros.' in Palm Springs, California, in the winter of the following year. In 1935, she made her debut in a supporting role in the romantic drama 'Stranded'. She went on to play several small roles before landing her first major role in 'Ceiling Zero' in 1935. June underwent training in flying planes and parachuting from the legendary aviator Amelia Earhart in preparation for her role.
Success and Marriage
June Travis became an ardent admirer of James Cagney, a popular Hollywood actor, during the filming of 'Ceiling Zero'. However, her feelings remained unknown to him. The film became her favorite and she considered it her best work. In 1936, she played the role of Della Street, loyal secretary to the invincible lawyer Perry Mason, in the film 'The Case of the Black Cat'. Her co-star in the film was the handsome Hollywood actor Ricardo Cortez. Within three years of her career, June acted in 30 films. However, in 1938, the studio chose not to renew her contract, leading her to return to Chicago and leave Hollywood behind. She later mentioned that if she had stayed in Hollywood for two more years, she would have become a star.
On January 3, 1940, June Travis married Fred Friedlob and lived as a housewife in the respectable neighborhood of Lincoln Park. They had two daughters, Katie and June Jr. Their marriage lasted until Fred's death in May 1979. June never remarried, but in her later years, she shared her life with Erwin Gruen, a locksmith by profession, who passed away in 2006.
Later Career and Legacy
In the late 1970s, June Travis began performing on stage. She noted the significant differences between acting in films and on stage, finding it challenging to transition between the two. She was nominated for the Sarah Siddons Award for her performance in the theatrical production of 'Life with Father' and served as co-chair of the award committee in 2002.
June Travis passed away on April 14, 2008, at the age of 93, in a Chicago hospital. She had suffered complications from a stroke she experienced a few weeks earlier.
