Lana Turner
Lana Turner: A Hollywood Legend's Story
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Full Name and Common Aliases
Lana Turner was born Julia Jean Mildred Frances Blanche on February 8, 1921, in Wallace, Idaho. She is commonly known as The Sweater Girl due to her iconic appearance in a sweater in a 1936 photograph.
Birth and Death Dates
February 8, 1921 - June 29, 1995
Nationality and Profession(s)
American Actress and Icon of Old Hollywood
Lana Turner was an American actress who rose to fame during the Golden Age of Hollywood. She is remembered for her stunning looks, captivating on-screen presence, and iconic roles in classic films.
Early Life and Background
Turner's early life was marked by poverty and instability. Her mother, Edith, married John Stephen Crandall when Turner was a toddler, but they divorced after only a year. In 1932, her family moved to Los Angeles, where Turner began modeling at the age of 15. She soon caught the attention of film producer Earl Kluver, who signed her to a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM).
Major Accomplishments
Turner's breakthrough role came in 1941 when she starred alongside Clark Gable in Honky Tonk, earning her a reputation as a talented and sultry screen siren. She went on to appear in over 50 films, including classics like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941), Somewhere I'll Find You (1942), and The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946). Turner's on-screen chemistry with co-stars like Tyrone Power, John Garfield, and Cary Grant solidified her status as a Hollywood leading lady.
Notable Works or Actions
Turner's tumultuous personal life often made headlines. Her high-profile marriage to film producer Artie Shaw ended in divorce after only seven months. She later married actor Stephen Crane, with whom she had two children before divorcing him in 1952. Turner's most enduring relationship was with mob boss Johnny Stompanato, whose murder by her daughter Cheryl in 1962 shocked the nation.
Impact and Legacy
Lana Turner's impact on Hollywood cannot be overstated. She paved the way for future generations of actresses, inspiring icons like Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor. Turner's iconic status extends beyond film; she has been referenced, parodied, and homaged countless times in popular culture.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Lana Turner's enduring fame stems from her captivating on-screen presence, unforgettable beauty, and the tumultuous personal struggles that often overshadowed her professional achievements. Her legacy as a Hollywood legend continues to inspire new generations of actors, writers, and fans.
Quotes by Lana Turner
We started by playing girls who only married at the end of the picture. We didn't play wives. That came later. But the most dreadful thing was when a star had to play a mother. That was the beginning of her professional end.
It used to be that when an actress reached thirty, she was considered almost washed up.
That Shaw is the most egotistical thing! He hogged the camera and spent more time with the hairdresser and the makeup man than any actor on the lot!
Artie said it would be nice if we got married. I said it would be nice, too. The next thing I knew, we were on our way to Las Vegas.
When he would give you direction, it was not sitting in a chair saying, 'Hey, babe! Do this and that and the other thing.' Mr. Sirk would ask, 'May I speak with you?' and sit down and say, 'I think this should be done this way. And how do you feel about it? Do you feel it that way?'
Cheryl's artistically inclined. She draws and sketches, but I don't know about acting.
I started off wanting one husband and seven children, but it ended up the other way around.
Oh, how I treasure this freedom. I really do It's a glorious, wonderful experience. I am off marriage - for life!