Sharon Douglas | |
|---|---|
 Lobby card fromFog Island (1945) | |
| Born | Rhoda-Nelle Rader (1920-10-16)October 16, 1920 |
| Died | June 18, 2016(2016-06-18) (aged 95) |
| Other names | Rhodanelle Rader |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1942–1980 |
| Spouses | (divorced)
|
| Children | 4 |
Sharon Douglas (bornRhoda-Nelle Rader; October 16, 1920 – June 18, 2016) was an American film and radio actress, most active in the 1940s and 1950s.[1]
The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L.M. Rader,[2] Douglas was born inStephens County, Oklahoma.[3] (A newspaper article about her high school graduation gives her first name asRhodanelle.)[4] She graduated from Las Cruces Union High School inLas Cruces, New Mexico.[4]
She moved to Hollywood in 1939, struck up a friendship withHedda Hopper, and became herprotégé, with regular appearances on Hopper's popular 1940s radio show. Her stage name was chosen in tribute to her mother's Scottish ancestry. Hopper had NBC hire Douglas to playLana Turner in a radio biography of her early life, and later introduced her to the RKO movie mogulHoward Hughes, who took her personally under his wing, pitching her as a rival toJane Greer.[1]
Douglas's earliest roles in film were bit parts, but in 1942 was offered a lead role inA Gentleman After Dark, oppositeBrian Donlevy. Other good parts followed, but radio was where Douglas "really found her métier", in long-running serials such as 1944'sThe Gallant Heart, and the 132-week World War II run ofThe Life of Riley, starring William Bendix and a "monumental success".[1] She portrayed Babs, Riley's daughter, in the program.[5]
Other roles on radio included Bobby's girlfriend inThe Remarkable Miss Tuttle,[6] Millie Anderson inA Day in the Life of Dennis Day,[7]: 94 Mabel inJoan Davis Time,[7]: 176 Virginia Brickel inMy Mother's Husband,[7]: 247 and Terry Burton inThe Second Mrs. Burton.[7]: 299 Her other work in radio includedThe Abbott and Costello Show.[7]
On July 30, 1946, Douglas married Lebanese-American producerEdward Nassour in Hollywood, California.[2] They had four children together. In 1962 he committed suicide. Douglas had two other short marriages, both of which ended in divorce.[1]
Douglas died on June 18, 2016, aged 95. The location was not disclosed.[8] She was survived by her children.[3]
