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Donna Reed

Donna Reed
Donna Reed.jpg
Born Donna Belle Mullenger
(1921-01-27)January 27, 1921
Denison, Iowa, U.S.
Died January 14, 1986(1986-01-14) (aged 64)
Beverly Hills, California, U.S.
Cause of death Pancreatic cancer
Resting place Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery
Occupation Actress
Years active 1941–1985
Spouse(s) William J. Tuttle (m. 1943; div. 1945)
Tony Owen (m. 1945; div. 1971)
Grover Asmus (m. 1974–86)
Children 4

Donna Reed (born Donna Belle Mullenger; January 27, 1921 – January 14, 1986) was an American film and television actress and producer. Her career spanned more than 40 years, with performances in more than 40 films. She is well known for her role as Mary Hatch Bailey in Frank Capra's 1946 film It's a Wonderful Life. In 1953, she received the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as Lorene Burke in the war drama From Here to Eternity.

Reed is probably most widely known for her work in television, notably as Donna Stone, a middle-class American mother and housewife in the sitcom The Donna Reed Show (1958–66), in which her character was more assertive than most other television mothers of the era. She received numerous Emmy Award nominations for this role and the Golden Globe Award for Best TV Star in 1963. Later in her career, Reed replaced Barbara Bel Geddes as Miss Ellie Ewing in the 1984–85 season of the television melodrama, Dallas; she sued the production company for breach of contract when she was abruptly fired upon Geddes' decision to return to the show.

She was born Donna Belle Mullenger on a farm near Denison, Iowa, the daughter of Hazel Jane (née Shives; 1899–1975) and William Richard Mullenger (1893–1981). The eldest of five children, she was raised as a Methodist. After graduating from Denison High School, Reed planned to become a teacher, but was unable to pay for college. She decided to move to California to attend Los Angeles City College on the advice of her aunt. While attending college, she performed in various stage productions but had no plans to become an actress. After receiving several offers to screen test for studios, Reed eventually signed with MGM, but insisted on finishing her education first.


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