Maxine Cooper Gomberg American actress, activist and photographer Date of Birth: 12.05.1924 Country: USA

1. Maxine Cooper Gomberg: Hollywood Trailblazer and Activist
2. Early Life and Theater Beginnings
3. European Success
4. Return to Hollywood and Iconic Film
5. Activism and Community Involvement
6. Later Life and Photography
7. Personal Life and Legacy

Maxine Cooper Gomberg: Hollywood Trailblazer and Activist

Maxine Cooper Gomberg, an American actress, activist, and photographer, is best known for her iconic role as Velda, the deceptively innocent secretary in Robert Aldrich's 1955 film noir classic, "Kiss Me Deadly."

Early Life and Theater Beginnings

Born Maxine Cooper on May 12, 1924, in Chicago, Illinois, Gomberg developed a passion for theater during her time at Bennington College in Vermont. She later refined her craft at the prestigious Pasadena Playhouse in California.

European Success

In 1946, Gomberg embarked on a tour of post-war Europe, performing for American troops with fellow actresses Veda Ann Borg, Rose Hobart, Ellen Corby, and Margie Stewart. She remained in Europe for over a decade, gracing both stage and screen, including roles in the 1947 BBC television play "You Can't Take it With You" and the 1948 film "I Killed the Count."

Return to Hollywood and Iconic Film

In the 1950s, Gomberg returned to the United States and made her American film debut in Aldrich's "Kiss Me Deadly." Aldrich's decision to cast her was inspired by her performance as Anitra in the Los Angeles play "Peer Gynt." Subsequently, he featured her in two more films: "Autumn Leaves" (1956) and "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?" (1962).

Activism and Community Involvement

Gomberg was not only an acclaimed actress but also a dedicated activist throughout her life. She and her husband, screenwriter and producer Say Gomberg, were active members of the Hollywood community. They organized groups of actors, writers, and studio executives to join Martin Luther King Jr.'s civil rights marches in Montgomery, Alabama, in the 1960s. Gomberg also campaigned against the Hollywood blacklist and led other protests by entertainers against nuclear weapons and the Vietnam War.

Later Life and Photography

Returning briefly to acting in the 1970s, Gomberg made a cameo appearance in the 1975 television film "Fear on Trial." In her later years, she pursued photography, with her work featured in Howard Fast's book "The Art of Zen Meditation."

Personal Life and Legacy

Maxine and Say Gomberg were married until his death in 2001. She outlived her husband of 82 years and passed away on April 4, 2009, at the age of 85. Gomberg is survived by her daughters, Katherine and Marsha, her son, Chris, and five grandchildren. Her contributions to Hollywood, social activism, and the arts continue to inspire and be celebrated.