Jean Arthur Biography
( American Broadway and Film Actress)
Birthday: October 17, 1900 (Libra)
Born In: Plattsburgh
Jean Arthur was an American actress counted amongst the topmost actresses of the 1930s and 1940s. Popularly referred to as "the quintessential comedic leading lady,” she was someone closely identified with the genre of screwball comedy. Among her highly popular films are ‘Mr. Deeds Goes to Town’, ‘You Can't Take It With You’, and ‘Mr. Smith Goes to Washington’, all directed by Frank Capra. The daughter of a photographer, she grew up with her elder brothers and was a tomboy in her younger days. She also travelled widely during her childhood and lived at several places in Florida, New York, and Manhattan. After working as a stenographer during the World War I, she proceeded to become a model. Over the course of her modeling career, she got noticed for her beauty and grace, which led her to an acting career. Her initial years as an actress were unremarkable, and it was only after the release of ‘Husband Hunters’ that she began to gain prominence. The advent of the talkies brought her the success she so desperately craved—her throaty, high-pitched voice which was perfectly suited for comedic performances brought her substantial roles. Over the years she earned a reputation of a major leading lady of screwball comedy. One of her distinctly non-comedic roles was in her last film, ‘Shane.’