Jane Greer Biography

Jane Greer was an American actress who is best remembered for her portrayal of the villainous character Kathie Moffat in the 1947 flick ‘Out of the Past’. Born Bettejane Greer, she grew up to be a beautiful young woman and took part in several beauty contests, most of which she won. At the age of 15, an attack of facial palsy left her face paralyzed on one side. Although facial exercises helped her overcome her condition, the palsy attack gave her a permanent ‘patented look’ and garnered her the title 'The Woman with the Mona Lisa smile'. Blessed with a sweet voice, Greer started her show business career as a singer with big bands, most notably Enric Madriguera's orchestra. After a successful modelling stint, she moved to Hollywood and began acting as a film actress in 1945. The same year, she changed her name to “Jane.” She went on to have a successful career as both a film and a TV actress. Behind the screen, Greer had been married twice. She spent her later years with her partner Frank London, with whom she lived until his death in 2001, six months prior to her own death from cancer.