Jeanne Crain was born in Barstow, California, on May 25, 1925. The daughter of a high school English teacher and his wife, Jeanne was moved to Los Angeles not long after her birth after her father got another teaching position in that city. While in junior high school, Jeanne played the lead in a school production which set her on the path to acting. When she was in high school Jeanne was asked to take a screen test to appear in a film byOrson Welles. Unfortunately, she didn't get the part, but it did set her sights on being a movie actress.
After high school, Jeanne enrolled at UCLA to study drama. At the age of 18, Jeanne won a bit part in Fox Studio's film entitledThe Gang's All Here (1943) and a small contract. Her next film saw Jeanne elevated to a more substantial part inHome in Indiana (1944) the following year, which was filmed in neighboring Kentucky. The movie was an unquestionable hit. On the strength of that box-office success, Jeanne was given a raise and star billing, as Maggie Preston, in the next film of 1944,In the Meantime, Darling (1944). Unfortunately, the critics not only roasted the film, but singled out Jeanne's performance in particular. She rebounded nicely in her last film of the year,Winged Victory (1944). The audiences loved it and the film was profitable.
In 1945, Jeanne was cast inState Fair (1945) as Margie Frake who travels to the fair and falls in love with a reporter played byDana Andrews. Now, Jeanne got a bigger contract and more recognition. Later that year, Jeanne marriedPaul Brooks on New Year's Eve. Although her mother wasn't supportive of the marriage, the union lasted until her husband's death and produced seven children. The year 1947 was an off year for Jeanne, as she took time off to bear the Brooks' first child.
In 1949, Jeanne appeared in three films,A Letter to Three Wives (1949),The Fan (1949), andPinky (1949). It was this latter film which garnered her an Oscar nomination as Best Actress for her role as Pinky Johnson, a nurse who sets up a clinic in the Deep South. She lost toOlivia de Havilland forThe Heiress (1949). Jeanne left Fox after filmingVicki (1953) in 1953, withJean Peters. She had made 23 films for the studio that started her career, but she needed a well-deserved change. As with any good artist, Jeanne wanted to expand her range instead of playing the girl-next-door types.
She went briefly to Warner Brothers for the filming ofDuel in the Jungle (1954) in 1954. The film was lukewarm at best. Jeanne, then, signed a contract, that same year, with Universal Studios with promises of better, high profile roles. She went into production in the filmMan Without a Star (1955) which was a hit with audiences and critics. AfterHôyô (1957) in 1957, Jeanne took time off for her family and to appear in a few television programs. She returned, briefly, to film inGuns of the Timberland (1960) in 1960. The films were sporadic after that. In 1967, she appeared in a low-budget suspense yarn calledHot Rods to Hell (1966). Her final film was as Clara Shaw in 1972'sHijack (1972).
Jeanne died of a heart attack in Santa Barbara, California, on December 14, 2003. Her husbandPaul Brooks had died two months earlier.
After high school, Jeanne enrolled at UCLA to study drama. At the age of 18, Jeanne won a bit part in Fox Studio's film entitledThe Gang's All Here (1943) and a small contract. Her next film saw Jeanne elevated to a more substantial part inHome in Indiana (1944) the following year, which was filmed in neighboring Kentucky. The movie was an unquestionable hit. On the strength of that box-office success, Jeanne was given a raise and star billing, as Maggie Preston, in the next film of 1944,In the Meantime, Darling (1944). Unfortunately, the critics not only roasted the film, but singled out Jeanne's performance in particular. She rebounded nicely in her last film of the year,Winged Victory (1944). The audiences loved it and the film was profitable.
In 1945, Jeanne was cast inState Fair (1945) as Margie Frake who travels to the fair and falls in love with a reporter played byDana Andrews. Now, Jeanne got a bigger contract and more recognition. Later that year, Jeanne marriedPaul Brooks on New Year's Eve. Although her mother wasn't supportive of the marriage, the union lasted until her husband's death and produced seven children. The year 1947 was an off year for Jeanne, as she took time off to bear the Brooks' first child.
In 1949, Jeanne appeared in three films,A Letter to Three Wives (1949),The Fan (1949), andPinky (1949). It was this latter film which garnered her an Oscar nomination as Best Actress for her role as Pinky Johnson, a nurse who sets up a clinic in the Deep South. She lost toOlivia de Havilland forThe Heiress (1949). Jeanne left Fox after filmingVicki (1953) in 1953, withJean Peters. She had made 23 films for the studio that started her career, but she needed a well-deserved change. As with any good artist, Jeanne wanted to expand her range instead of playing the girl-next-door types.
She went briefly to Warner Brothers for the filming ofDuel in the Jungle (1954) in 1954. The film was lukewarm at best. Jeanne, then, signed a contract, that same year, with Universal Studios with promises of better, high profile roles. She went into production in the filmMan Without a Star (1955) which was a hit with audiences and critics. AfterHôyô (1957) in 1957, Jeanne took time off for her family and to appear in a few television programs. She returned, briefly, to film inGuns of the Timberland (1960) in 1960. The films were sporadic after that. In 1967, she appeared in a low-budget suspense yarn calledHot Rods to Hell (1966). Her final film was as Clara Shaw in 1972'sHijack (1972).
Jeanne died of a heart attack in Santa Barbara, California, on December 14, 2003. Her husbandPaul Brooks had died two months earlier.
BornMay 25, 1925
DiedDecember 14, 2003(78)
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 6 wins & 1 nomination total
Actress
Soundtrack
- Alternative name
- J. Crain
- Height
- 1.63 m
- Born
- Died
- December 14,2003
- Santa Barbara, California, USA(heart attack)
- Spouse
- Paul BrooksDecember 31, 1945 - October 1, 2003 (his death, 7 children)
- Children
- ParentsGeorge A. Crain
- Other worksUnsold pilot: Appeared in a pilot for a series to be called "The Jeanne Crain Show".
- Publicity listings
- TriviaHer youngest child, son Christopher Brinkman, was the original leadguitarist for the rock groupJane's Addiction (1985-1986). He died of adrug overdose in 1997.
- QuotesI loved being at the studio [20th Century-Fox]. After all, I started at15, and I grew up there. But there comes a time when an actress staystoo long in the same place. People get used to having you around, andthey can't think of you in a different light.
FAQ
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- When did Jeanne Crain die?December 14, 2003
- How did Jeanne Crain die?Heart attack
- How old was Jeanne Crain when she died?78 years old
- Where did Jeanne Crain die?Santa Barbara, California, USA
- When was Jeanne Crain born?May 25, 1925
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