Joan Woodbury
| Joan Woodbury | |
|---|---|
in The Rogues Tavern (1936)
|
|
| Born |
Joan Elmer Woodbury December 17, 1915 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Died | February 22, 1989 (aged 73) Desert Hot Springs, California, U.S. |
| Other names | Nana Martínez |
| Years active | 1934–1964 |
| Spouse(s) |
Henry Wilcoxon (1938–69; divorced); 3 children Ray Mitchell (1971–1989; her death) |
Henry Wilcoxon (1938–69; divorced); 3 children
Joan Woodbury (December 17, 1915 – February 22, 1989) was an American actress beginning in the 1930s and continuing well into the 1960s.
She was born Joan Elmer Woodbury in Los Angeles, California. Her father was Elmer Franklin Woodbury, and his wife, born Joan Meta Hadenfeldt, whose father Charles Hadenfeldt had emigrated to the USA from Germany. Elmer Woodbury owned various hotels, including the La Casa Grande and Maryland hotels in Pasadena, and the Hotel Richelieu in downtown Los Angeles. Her mother had been six times 'Rose Queen' at Pasadena's Tournament of Roses, and had been in vaudeville.
When she was four years old Joan had an 18 year old live-in governess, Marie Sandow. In 1922, when she was six years old, she was selected for the leading role in a series of children's fairy story films: an article about this in the San Francisco Chronicle commented "Joan Woodbury has been known for some time as America's 100 Per Cent Child, and has been photographed, sketched and painted by many artists." She first studied for seven years in a convent, later trained in dance, and eventually graduated from Hollywood High School. Woodbury began dancing for the Agua Caliente dance company, and at 19 decided to attempt a career in acting.
She moved to Hollywood and that same year received her first acting role in the 1934 film Eight Girls in a Boat, which was uncredited. Another uncredited role followed, with her first credited role being in the 1934 film One Exciting Adventure, which starred Binnie Barnes. Woodbury appeared in fifteen films from 1934 through 1935, of which ten were uncredited.
In 1936, her career began to become more successful, with appearances in eight films that year, of which five were uncredited. However, of the three roles that were credited, Woodbury made an impact, and caught the attention of studios. Her mixture of Danish, British and Native American heritage gave her an exotic appearance, and allowed her to be cast in many different ethnicities, from Hispanic to French and Asian. By 1937 her career had taken off, mostly in B-movies such as Living on Love and Bulldog Courage, but also with her receiving many credited roles.
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