| Joan Bennett Quick Info | |
|---|---|
| Height | 5 ft 3½ in |
| Weight | 62 kg |
| Date of Birth | February 27, 1910 |
| Zodiac Sign | Pisces |
| Date of Death | December 7, 1990 |
Joan Bennett was an American actress who enjoyed a successful Hollywood career by starring in numerous hit films including Little Women (1933), Father of the Bride (1950), Suspiria (1977), Scarlet Street (1945), The Woman in the Window (1944), Man Hunt (1941), The Man in the Iron Mask (1939), The Reckless Moment (1949), and We’re No Angels (1955).
Born Name
Joan Geraldine Bennett
Nick Name
Doanie (by her grandchildren)
Age
She was born on February 27, 1910.
Died
Joan passed away from a heart attack in Scarsdale, New York at the age of 80 years on December 7, 1990.
Sun Sign
Pisces
Born Place
Fort Lee, New Jersey, United States
Nationality
Occupation
Actress
Family
- Father – Richard Bennett (Actor)Â Â
- Mother – Adrienne Morrison (Actress, Literary Agent)
- Siblings – Constance Bennett (Older Sister) (Actress), Barbara Bennett (Older Sister) (Actress, Dancer)
Build
Slim
Height
5 ft 3½ in or 161 cm
Weight
62 kg or 136.5 lbs
Boyfriend / Spouse
Joan Bennett had dated –
- John M. Fox (1925-1928) – Her first marriage was to John M. Fox and lasted for only 2 years from September 15, 1926, until July 30, 1928. During this time, the couple became parents to a daughter named Adrienne Ralston Fox (aka Diana Bennett) (b. February 20, 1928).
- Spencer Tracy (1930)
- Gene Markey (1932-1937) – The writer, producer, and screenwriter Gene Markey became her second husband on March 12, 1932. On her 24th birthday, Joan gave birth to their daughter Melinda Markey (b. February 27, 1934). But, their marriage ended in divorce on June 3, 1937.
- Bing Crosby (1934-1935)
- Charles Boyer (1935-1937)
- Errol Flynn (1940)
- Walter Wanger (1939-1965) – On January 12, 1940, she wed the film producer Walter Wanger. They welcomed 2 daughters together named Stephanie Wanger (b. June 26, 1943) and Shelley Wanger (b. July 4, 1948). The couple was married for 25 years before getting divorced on September 20, 1965.
- Francis Lederer
- Lee Bowman
- Jennings Lang (1951)
- Donald Cook (1957)
- John Emery (1961-1964)
- David Wilde (1978-1990) – She married David Wilde, a movie critic and publisher, on February 14, 1978. The couple remained married until Joan’s death on December 7, 1990.
Race / Ethnicity
White
She had English with some Sephardi Jewish ancestry.
Hair Color
Blonde
However, her hair had turned ‘Gray’ by the time of her death.
Eye Color
Blue
Sexual Orientation
Straight
Distinctive Features
- Frequently played femme fatales
- Husky voice
- Sultry eyes
Joan Bennett Facts
- She was one of the top 4 contenders to play the career-defining role of Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind (1939) with Vivien Leigh, Jean Arthur, and Paulette Goddard.
- Joan’s divorce from Gene Markey was finalized on June 3, 1937, which coincidentally happened to be the same day that the Duke of Windsor (formerly King Edward VIII) married his lover Wallis Simpson.
- She starred in 3 films that went on to become ‘Best Picture’ Oscar nominees: Disraeli (1929), Little Women (1933), and Father of the Bride (1950).
- She turned down the offer to star as Bess McCarthy in Ron Howard’s sci-fi thriller, Cocoon (1985). The role then went to Gwen Verdon. Joan reportedly regretted her decision after the film became a super hit at the box office.
- She played the youngest sister Amy March in the 1933 film adaptation of Little Women (1933) alongside Katharine Hepburn. Furthermore, Elizabeth Taylor played Amy March in the next adaptation of Little Women in 1949. Lastly, the two actresses worked together when Bennett played Taylor’s mother in Father of the Bride (1950).
Featured Image by Harriet / Wikimedia / Public Domain
