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Duane Thompson | |
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| Born | Duane Malony (1903-07-28)July 28, 1903 Red Oak, Iowa, U.S. |
| Died | August 15, 1970(1970-08-15) (aged 67) Los Angeles,California, U.S. |
| Other names | Violet Joy |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1921–1940 |
| Spouse(s) | Buddy Wattles (m.1928, divorced) William T. Johnson (m.1937) |
| Children | 1 |
Duane Thompson (born Lura Duane Malony;[1] July 28, 1903 – August 15, 1970) was anAmericanfilm actress duringHollywood'ssilent film era. Whentalkies pushed silent films into the background, she worked instock theater for a time before moving toradio drama. She was married twice, to comedian Buddy Wattles and to radio producer William T. Johnson.
Thompson and her mother moved to San Francisco and Hollywood in the early 1920s, where Thompson, after a stint as a cafe dancer, pursued a career in acting. She received her first film role in 1921, starring oppositeVernon Dent as Violet Joy inUp and At 'em.
Dropping Violet Joy for Duane Thompson,[2] she wasNeal Burn's[3] leading lady inHot Water.[citation needed] That film launched her into regular roles, and she starred in four films that year. From 1923 to 1929, Thompson starred in 37 films, with uncredited roles in another three films. In 1925, she was one of 13 women selected by the Western Association of Motion Picture Advertisers (WAMPAS) as aWAMPAS Baby Star[4] It was said at the time she was selected by WAMPAS that "Duane Thompson, with dancing as a foundation for a theatrical career, embarked on what is leading her to fame and fortune... She has appeared in numerousChristie Comedies,[5]and is now leading lady forWalter Hiers."[6]
Although Thompson appeared inVoice of the City,[7] atalkie, the advent of talking films effectively ended her film career, and she went on tostock theater. In 1928, she was signed for a stage role in Dixie McCoy's production ofTarnish at the Hollywood Music Box.,[5] and in 1931, she played Susan Porter inPhilip Barry'sHoliday with the Woodward Players in St. Louis.[8] Shortly thereafter, she turned to radio, where she opened each broadcast of theHollywood Hotel radio program[9] and played a lead in such comedy series asThe Newlyweds.[10]
Her radio role opening broadcasts of Hollywood Hotel led to an offer in 1937 to play herself in theHollywood Hotel movie.[11] Following that film she returned to her work in radio with her second husband, producer William T. Johnson.[12][13] She was often cast as a switchboard operator.[14]
Born July 28, 1903 inRed Oak, Iowa, Lura Duane Malony was the daughter of Dr. John Henry Malony and Georgia Ethel Manker. She and her mother relocated to Omaha when Duane was 2 years old, before moving on to California.[1] Duane took the surname of her mother's second husband, Tommy Thompson. For a brief time she used the stage name Violet Joy. On December 11, 1928, she married stage comedian Emmett K. (Buddy) Wattles,[15] and, in 1937, radio producer William T. Johnson.[16][17] After retiring, she lived in Los Angeles with her husband and daughter, Judith, until her death on August 15, 1970, at the age of 67.
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