Dorris Bowdon
Dorris Bowdon | |
---|---|
![]() As Rosasharn inThe Grapes of Wrath(1940) | |
Born | |
Died | August 9, 2005 | (aged 90)
Occupation | Film actress |
Years active | 1938–1943 |
Spouse | |
Children | 3 |
Dorris Estelle Bowdon(December 27, 1914 – August 9, 2005) was an American actress, best known for her role asRosasharninThe Grapes of Wrath[1]
Early life
[edit]Dorris Estelle Bowdon was born on December 27, 1914, inColdwater, Mississippi,one of seven children of Lillian and James Bowdon. She attendedLouisiana State University.[1]
Career
[edit]Bowdon was an actress in the 1930s and 1940s. When she was 20 years old, talent scout Ivan Kahn found her inMemphis, Tennessee,and brought her toHollywood,California, for a screen test with20th Century Fox.She "didn't fare so well" in her first test, so she was given another try.[2]
Personal life
[edit]She was married toNunnally Johnsonfrom 1939 until his death in 1977, and they had three children together, the first of whom was born in 1942, which prematurely ended Bowden's acting career. They resided in a mansion located at 625 Mountain Drive inBeverly Hills, California.[3]It was designed by architectPaul R. Williamsand built from 1937 to 1938 by O' Neal and Son.[3]ActorJack Johnsonis her grandson.[citation needed][4]
Death
[edit]Bowdon died inLos Angelesat the age of 90 of a stroke and heart failure. She was cremated and a portion of her ashes were scattered at sea and another portion interred with her husbandNunnally JohnsoninWestwood Village Memorial Park CemeteryinLos Angeles.
Filmography
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1938 | Always Goodbye | Minor Role | Uncredited |
1938 | Down on the Farm | Tessie Moody | |
1939 | Young Mr. Lincoln | Carrie Sue | Uncredited |
1939 | Drums Along the Mohawk | Mary Reall | |
1940 | The Grapes of Wrath | Rose of Sharon | |
1940 | Jennie | Lottie Schermer | |
1943 | The Moon Is Down | Molly Morden | (final film role) |
References
[edit]- ^abNelson, Valerie J. (August 12, 2005)."Dorris Bowdon, 90; Actress Best Known for 'Grapes of Wrath'".The Los Angeles Times.California, Los Angeles. Archived fromthe originalon January 15, 2020.RetrievedJanuary 15,2020.
- ^"Talent Scouts Scouring Country for New Faces to Go Into Movie Mills".The San Bernardino County Sun.California, San Bernardino. Associated Press. March 20, 1938. p. 1.RetrievedJuly 3,2016– viaNewspapers.com.
- ^abVictoria Talbot, 'Beverly Hills Cultural Heritage Commission Splits 2 To 2 on Mountain Drive Landmark Vote',The Beverly Hills Courier,October 03, 2014, Vol. XXXXVIIII, No. 39, p. 4
- ^"Doris Bowden Obit".memphistechhigh.com.