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Karen MorleyAmerican film actress
Date of Birth: 12.12.1909
Country: ![]() |
Content:
- Biography of Karen Morley
- Early Life and Education
- Early Career
- Rise to Fame
- Later Career and Controversy
- Personal Life and Legacy
Biography of Karen Morley
Karen Morley, born Mildred Linton, was an American film actress who gained fame in the 1930s and 1940s. She was born on December 12, 1909, and passed away on March 8, 2003.

Early Life and Education
Karen Morley was born and raised in Iowa. At the age of 13, she moved to Hollywood and completed her education at the Hollywood High School. Later, she pursued higher education.
Early Career
Morley's career began with her work at the Pasadena Playhouse theater. It was during one of her performances that she caught the attention of director Clarence Brown, who was looking for an actress resembling Greta Garbo. Brown chose Morley to be Garbo's double in some of her films. In 1931, Morley appeared in movies such as "Madelon Claudet," "High Stakes," "Politics," and "Mata Hari."
Rise to Fame
In 1932, Morley starred in films like "Arsène Lupin," "Are You Listening?," "Scarface," "Man About Town," "Washington Masquerade," "Downstairs," "Phantom of Crestwood," and "The Mask of Fu Manchu." During this time, she married director Charles Vidor, which led to her being cast as the main character in several notable films. However, many of these films had political undertones, which would later have a negative impact on Morley's career.
Later Career and Controversy
Morley appeared in movies such as "Black Fury," "Ten Dollar Raise," "Little Friend," "Little Rebel," "Beloved Enemy," "Devil's Squadron," "Outcast," "Last Train from Madrid," "Kentucky," "Pride and Prejudice," "Thirteenth Hour," and "Jealousy." However, in 1947, her career came to a halt when her name was included in the so-called "Hollywood blacklist." She was suspected of having communist ties by the US authorities, which significantly affected her future prospects in the industry.
Personal Life and Legacy
In 1943, Morley divorced her husband, Charles Vidor, and a year later, she remarried actor Lloyd Goff. She remained close to her second husband until her death. In her final years, Morley resided in Santa Monica, California. She passed away from pneumonia at the age of 93 and was buried in the Hollywood Hills cemetery. Despite the controversies surrounding her career, Karen Morley left a lasting impact on the film industry.