Ellen Drew was born in Kansas City, Missouri on November 26, 1915. Her parents were of Irish and Scottish descent. She had two older sisters. Ellen was educated at a Catholic girls’ school and then at the University of Missouri. She originally wanted to be a journalist, but after being rejected by several newspapers, she decided to try her hand at acting. She moved to Los Angeles in 1936 and got a job as an extra in the film “The Trail of the Lonesome Pine”. Her big break came in 1938 when she was cast as the female lead in the film “The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse”. The film was a huge success and made Ellen a star.
Ellen’s career flourished in the 1940s. She appeared in a string of hit films, including “The Strawberry Blonde”, “The Maltese Falcon”, and “Casablanca”. She also starred opposite Cary Grant in the screwball comedy “Mr. Lucky”. In 1945, she was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance in the film “None but the Lonely Heart”.
In the 1950s, Ellen’s career began to decline. She appeared in a number of forgettable films and her personal life was plagued by scandal. In 1954, she divorced her first husband, actor Alan Marshall. The following year, she married businessman Robert Drew. The couple had three children together.
In the 1960s, Ellen made a comeback with the television series “The Virginian”. She also appeared in a number of successful films, including “The Odd Couple” and “Airport”.
Ellen Drew died of a heart attack on May 1, 1971 at the age of 55.
Ellen Drew was a successful Hollywood actress who appeared in over 60 films during her career. She was born in Kansas City, Missouri on November 26, 1915 and died of a heart attack on May 1, 1971 at the age of 55.
General Info
Full Name
Ellen Drew
Died
December 3, 2003, Palm Desert, California, United States
Height
1.61 m
Profession
Actor
Nationality
American
Family
Spouse
William T. Walker, Sy Bartlett, Fred Wallace
Children
David Wallace
Accomplishments
Movies
Christmas in July, Isle of the Dead, The Man from Colorado, Johnny O'Clock, Stars in My Crown, Sing You Sinners, The Baron of Arizona, Man in the Saddle, Buck Benny Rides Again, The Monster and the Girl, The Crooked Way, The Swordsman, Davy Crockett, Indian Scout, China Sky, The Remarkable Andrew, O...
Played the role of Margaret Anderson in the pilot episode of Father Knows Best (1954). Jane Wyatt took over the role when the series began its run on NBC.
3
Developed an alternative to the traditional hot fudge sundae called the "Cinderella". Made with peach, strawberries, pineapple, roasted almonds, lemon sherbet, vanilla ice cream and whipped cream, it is still served today.
4
Son, David (born 1936).
5
Received a star on the Palm Springs Walk of Fame in 1997.
Pictures
Movies
Actress
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Barbara Stanwyck Show
1961
TV Series
Kate
Perry Mason
1960
TV Series
Julia Webberly
The Millionaire
1959
TV Series
Julia Conrad
Outlaw's Son
1957
Ruth Sewall
Celebrity Playhouse
1955-1956
TV Series
The Ford Television Theatre
1952-1955
TV Series
Louise Lyndon / Grace Warren / Elaine Anderson / ...
Science Fiction Theatre
1955
TV Series
Diane Turner / Helen Gunderman
Schlitz Playhouse
1953-1955
TV Series
Edith Norman / Vie / Mary Varnum
Lux Video Theatre
1955
TV Series
Mrs. Spence
America for Me
1953
Short
School Teacher
Man in the Saddle
1951
Nan Melotte
The Bigelow Theatre
1951
TV Series
The Great Missouri Raid
1951
Bee Moore
Cargo to Capetown
1950
Kitty Mellar
Stars in My Crown
1950
Harriet Gray
The Baron of Arizona
1950
Sofia de Peralta-Reavis 'The Baroness'
Davy Crockett, Indian Scout
1950
Frances Oatman
The Crooked Way
1949
Nina Martin
The Man from Colorado
1948
Caroline Emmet
The Swordsman
1948
Barbara Glowan
Johnny O'Clock
1947
Nelle Marchettis
Crime Doctor's Man Hunt
1946
Irene Cotter
Sing While You Dance
1946
Susan Kent
Man Alive
1945
Connie McBride
Isle of the Dead
1945
Thea
China Sky
1945
Louise Thompson
That's My Baby!
1944
Betty Moody
Dark Mountain
1944
Kay Downey
And the Angels Sing
1944
Minor Role (uncredited)
Strange Confession
1944
Yvonne
Night Plane from Chungking
1943
Ann Richards
Ice-Capades Revue
1942
Ann Porter
My Favorite Spy
1942
Teresa 'Terry' Kyser
Star Spangled Rhythm
1942
Ellen Drew (uncredited)
The Remarkable Andrew
1942
Peggy Tobin
The Night of January 16th
1941
Kit Lane
Our Wife
1941
Babe Marvin
The Parson of Panamint
1941
Mary Mallory
Reaching for the Sun
1941
Rita
The Monster and the Girl
1941
Susan Webster
Texas Rangers Ride Again
1940
Ellen 'Slats' Dangerfield
The Mad Doctor
1940
Linda Boothe
Christmas in July
1940
Betty Casey
Buck Benny Rides Again
1940
Joan Cameron
Women Without Names
1940
Joyce King
French Without Tears
1940
Diana Lake
Geronimo
1939
Alice Hamilton
The Escape
1939
Reporter (uncredited)
The Gracie Allen Murder Case
1939
Ann Wilson
The Lady's from Kentucky
1939
Penelope 'Penny' Hollis
If I Were King
1938
Huguette
Sing, You Sinners
1938
Martha Randall
You and Me
1938
Cashier (as Terry Ray)
Cocoanut Grove
1938
Radio Station Receptionist (uncredited)
Dangerous to Know
1938
Secretary (as Terry Ray)
Scandal Street
1938
uncredited
The Buccaneer
1938
uncredited
This Way Please
1937
Chorus Girl (uncredited)
Mountain Music
1937
Helen (uncredited)
Hotel Haywire
1937
Switchboard Operator (uncredited)
Night of Mystery
1937
Secretary
Turn Off the Moon
1937
Bit Role (uncredited)
Make Way for Tomorrow
1937
Usherette (uncredited)
Internes Can't Take Money
1937
Nurse (uncredited)
The Crime Nobody Saw
1937
Secretary (uncredited)
Murder Goes to College
1937
Lil (as Terry Ray)
College Holiday
1936
Dancer on Train (uncredited)
The Accusing Finger
1936
Wife (as Terry Ray)
Rose Bowl
1936
Mary Arnold (uncredited)
The Big Broadcast of 1937
1936
Telephone Girl (as Terry Ray)
Murder with Pictures
1936
Bit Role (uncredited)
Wives Never Know
1936
uncredited
Lady Be Careful
1936
Girl in Sailboat (as Terry Ray)
Hollywood Boulevard
1936
Terry Ray - Casting Office Secretary (uncredited)
My American Wife
1936
Party Guest (uncredited)
Yours for the Asking
1936
uncredited
Rhythm on the Range
1936
Party Guest (uncredited)
The Return of Sophie Lang
1936
Secretary (uncredited)
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Parson of Panamint
1941
performer: "Merry-Go-Round", "My Sweetheart's the Man in the Moon", "It's in the Cards", "Rock of Ages" - uncredited
Buck Benny Rides Again
1940
performer: "SAY IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN" 1940, "DRUMS IN THE NIGHT" 1940 - uncredited