Winifred Elaine "Wynne" Gibson[1] (July 3, 1898[2][3] – May 15, 1987)[4][5] was an American actress of the 1930s.

Wynne Gibson
Publicity photo, 1931
Born
Winifred Elaine Gibson

(1898-07-03)July 3, 1898
New York City, U.S.
DiedMay 15, 1987(1987-05-15) (aged 88)
OccupationActress
Years active1929–1956
SpouseJohn Gallaudet (1927–1930)

Early years

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Gibson was born in New York City, the daughter of Frank W. Gibson and Elaine Coffin Gibson. Her father was an efficiency expert, and her mother was an authorized Christian Science healer.[6] She attended Wadleigh High School for Girls in New York City.[7]

At one point during her youth, she ran away from home with a touring play troupe, acting with the group in three cities before her father found her.[8]

Stage

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Gibson was a member of Frederick Santley's Melody Maids and Ray Raymond's Melody Charmers. She toured in the Ritz Girls show, in which she and Billie Vernon performed a sister act.[1] Gibson was seen in vaudeville as part of The Melody Charmers. Her Broadway credits include Jarnegan (1928) and When You Smile (1925).[9] In 1955–1956, she served as chair of the Equity Library Theatre.[7]

Film

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Early in her career, Gibson had a small part in a film but had no special interest in appearing before the camera.[citation needed] It was the stage that interested her and she began her stage career in chorus and was soon playing leads. She toured Europe then returned to America and tried for a dramatic part but failed and returned to musical comedy. Paramount signed her when about to film Nothing But the Truth (1929), starting her success which continued in 50 films between 1929 and 1956 although many were B movies.[citation needed]

Personal life

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Gibson had a brief marriage to a stage manager. After that, she married John Gallaudet, an actor, in 1927. They divorced in 1930.[1] She was a long-time companion of former Warner Brothers actress Beverly Roberts.[7]

Death

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Gibson died in 1987 of a cerebral thrombosis in Laguna Niguel, California.[7]

Filmography

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Wagner, Laura (January 2018). "Wynne Gibson: Tough Dame with a Heart of Gold". Classic Images (511): 14–15, 66–69.
  2. ^ Social Security Death Index (SSDI) Name: Wynne Gibson, SSN: 568095006, Birth Date: 3 Jul 1898, Death Date: May 1987; Last Residence: 92677 Laguna Niguel, Orange, California, USA
  3. ^ 1900 US Census Manhattan Borough, District 452, sheet 10; enumerated 7 June 1900, Name Winifred Gibson, age 1, daughter of Frank W. and Elaine Gibson, residing at 133 W. 62nd Street
  4. ^ "Wynne Gibson". California Death Index, 1940-1997. Ancestry.com. Retrieved 2 May 2011. Name: Wynne Gibson; SSN: 568095006; Birth Date: 3 Jul 1905; Birthplace: New York; Death Date: 15 May 1987; Death Place: Orange; Mother's Maiden Name: Coffin(subscription required)
  5. ^ "Wynne Gibson Is Dead; Stage and Film Actress". New York Times. May 21, 1987. Retrieved 2 May 2011. She was 81 years old
  6. ^ Collura, Joe (Summer 1999). "Wynne Gibson: That Gibson Girl". Films of the Golden Age. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  7. ^ a b c d Aaker, Everett (2013). George Raft: The Films. McFarland. p. 31. ISBN 9780786493135. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  8. ^ Dietz, Edith (December 30, 1934). "She Can't Be Nice". Oakland Tribune. California, Oakland. p. 54. Retrieved November 8, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.  
  9. ^ "("Wynne Gibson" search results)". Playbill Vault. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
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