Betsy Blair
Betsy Blair -December 11, 1923 – March 13, 2009) was an American actress of film and stage, long based in London. Blair pursued a career in entertainment from the age of eight, and as a child worked as an amateur dancer, performed on radio, and worked as a model, before joining the chorus of Billy Rose's Diamond Horseshoe in 1940. There she met Gene Kelly. They were married the following year, when she was seventeen years old. The couple divorced sixteen years later, in 1957. After work in the theatre, Blair began her film career playing supporting roles in films such as A Double Life (1947) and Another Part of the Forest (1948). Her interest in Marxism led to an investigation by the House Un-American Activities Committee and Blair was blacklisted for some time, but resumed her career with a critically acclaimed performance in Marty (1955), winning a BAFTA Award and a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She continued her career with regular theatre, film and television work until the mid 1990s.
Known For
Credits
- 2003 · Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There as Self
- 2002 · Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer as Self
- 1994 · Scarlett as Sister of Mercy
- 1988 · Marcus Welby, M.D.: A Holiday Affair as Grace Simpson
- 1988 · Betrayed as Gladys Simmons
- 1987 · thirtysomething as
- 1987 · Suspicion as Lady McLaidlaw
- 1986 · Descent Into Hell as Mrs. Burns
- 1986 · Flight of the Spruce Goose as Helen
- 1979 · Tales of the Unexpected as Mrs Wilbur
- 1973 · A Delicate Balance as Edna
- 1971 · Great Performances as Self
- 1969 · De Bom (of het wanhoopskomitee) as Vrouw van garagist
- 1968 · Marry Me! Marry Me! as Second English Teacher
- 1962 · Careless as Amalia Brentani
- 1962 · All Night Long as Emily
- 1960 · The Dolphins as Contessa Rita Cherè
- 1960 · Lies My Father Told Me as Mother
- 1957 · Il Grido as Elvia
- 1957 · The Halliday Brand as Martha Halliday
- 1956 · Main Street as Isabel
- 1956 · Meeting in Paris as Nancy Blanding
- 1955 · Marty as Clara Snyder
- 1951 · Kind Lady as Ada Elcott
- 1950 · No Way Out as Telephone Operator (uncredited)
- 1950 · Mystery Street as Jackie Elcott
- 1948 · The Snake Pit as Hester
- 1948 · The Philco Television Playhouse as
- 1948 · Another Part of the Forest as Birdie Bagtry
- 1947 · A Double Life as Girl in Wig Shop
- 1947 · The Guilt of Janet Ames as Katie