Jean Arthur

COP11 · May 19, 2010

Born in Plattsburgh, New York on Oct. 17, 1900. She was a major film star of the 30's and 40's. Jean remains the epitome of the female screwball comedy actress. And many have called her the quintessential comic leading lady.

Jean was discovered by Fox Film Studios while she was doing commercial modeling in New York City in the early 20's. She made her film debut in 1923's "Cameo Kirby". Audiences loved her in screwball comedies. Charlie Chaplin stated she will always be the number one actress in comedies.

Jean was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in 1944 for her role in "The More, the Merrier".

Her last film was in 1953 in the movie "Shane". After retiring from films, she worked in theater, but she had terrible stage freight which led to panic attacks and had bouts of psychosomatic illnesses. These led to her losing leading roles in Broadway plays. Producers and companies couldn't risk everything because they never knew when she would freeze up on stage.

She then taught drama at Vassar College. She taught Meryl Streep there and knew Meryl would be a huge star. Then she went on to teach at North Carolina School of the Arts. While living in North Carolina she was arrested and jailed for trespassing on a neighbors property. She thought their dog was being mistreated. She often made the comment that she would rather be around animals then people.

Jean passed away from heart failure on June 19, 1991 in Carmel, California.