Janet Gaynor

Born: 1906-10-06

Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Biography

Janet Gaynor (October 6, 1906 – September 14, 1984) was an American actress and painter.

One of the most popular actresses of the silent film era, in 1928 Gaynor became the first winner of the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performances in three films: Seventh Heaven (1927), Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927) and Street Angel (1928). This was the only occasion on which an actress has won for multiple roles. This rule would be changed three years later by AMPAS. Her career continued with the advent of sound film, and she achieved a notable success in the original version of A Star Is Born (1937).

She worked only sporadically after the late 1930s. Severely injured in a 1982 vehicle collision, the incident contributed to her death two years later.

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Known For

Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans
Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ
A Star Is Born
7th Heaven
Happy Days
Small Town Girl
Lucky Star
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
Cavalcade of the Academy Awards
The Young in Heart

Top Movie Credits

Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ Slave Girl (uncredited)
A Star Is Born Esther Blodgett / Vicki Lester
Happy Days Janet Gaynor
Small Town Girl Katherine 'Kay' Brannan
Lucky Star Mary Tucker
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? Self (archive footage)
Cavalcade of the Academy Awards Self (archive footage)
The Young in Heart George-Anne Carleton