Irene Dunne

Actor

About

Also Known As

Irene Marie Dunn

Birth Place

Louisville, Kentucky, USA

Born

December 20, 1898

Died

September 04, 1990

Biography

Filmography

It's Showtime (1976)

Herself

It Grows on Trees (1952)

Polly Baxter

The Mudlark (1950)

Queen Victoria

Never a Dull Moment (1950)

Kay [Kingsley Heyward]

I Remember Mama (1948)

Mama [Marta Hanson]

Life with Father (1947)

Vinnie [Day]

Photos & Videos

View All

Silver Cord, The (1933) -- (Movie Clip) Some Women Cannot

Silver Cord, The (1933) -- (Movie Clip) Let Me Look At You Now

Family & Companions

Francis Griffen

Husband

Dentist. Married in 1927; lived on opposite coasts for part of their marriage.

Biography

Affectionately nicknamed "The Iron Maiden," lovely Irene Dunne hoped to have a career in opera, but her singing skills ultimately led instead to Broadway and movie stardom. On the basis of her early film credits, which were dominated by such dramas as "The Age of Innocence" (1934) and "Magnificent Obsession" (1935) and musicals like "Show Boat" (1936), Dunne surprised some critics and audience members with her considerable comedic flair on view in such highly regarded pictures as "Theodora Goes Wild" (1936) and "The Awful Truth" (1937). She also continued to excel in dramatic parts, with her portrayals in "Penny Serenade" (1941) and "I Remember Mama" (1948) being of particular note. In spite of often excellent performances, Dunne never won an Academy Award and that led in later years for her to be called the finest American actress to have never received that honor. Regardless, Dunne was highly respected by her peers and her decision to retire comparatively early was viewed as a way to exit the business on a high note, while she still had some say in the roles being offered. Dunne's talent in the areas of drama, comedy, song and dance made her one of the most multi-facetted performers of the 1930s and '40s and the consistent quality of that work made her much beloved among fans of classic Hollywood cinema.She was born Irene Marie Dunn (the "e" was added later) on Dec. 10, 1898 in Louisville, KY, but spent much of her teenage years in Madison, IN. From an early age, Dunne displayed an aptitude for singing and her skills were further developed through vocal training. Dunne also learned to play piano via instruction from her mother, a professional musician, and had formative performing experiences in school plays and as a member of the local church choir. Following Dunne's graduation from Madison High School, she attended the Indianapolis Conservatory of Music and Chicago Music College, hoping to utilize her gifts in the world of opera. While that did not pan out, Dunne's vocal talent opened other doors and she received opportunities to shine as a professional singer. Dunne took her first bow on Broadway in the title role of "Irene" (1919-21), replacing original star Edith Day during the hit play's two year engagement. A similar experience followed on "The Clinging Vine" (1922-23). As the understudy for star Peggy Wood, Dunne was given her shot when Wood lost her voice to laryngitis. Additional employment came as a cast member in the traveling company of "Show Boat" and return engagements on Broadway, though "Yours Truly" (1927), "She's My Baby" (1928) and "Luckee Girl" (1928) had far more modest runs than Dunne's previous Great White Way credits.On the personal front, Dunne wed dentist Francis Griffin. The couple would go on to adopt a daughter and their union lasted until Griffin's death almost four decades later. Meanwhile, Dunne's talent and magnetism inevitably attracted the attention of Hollywood and she was signed to a contract by RKO Radio Pictures. In contrast to the usual trajectory for newcomers, Dunne vaulted right into lead roles with the film adaptation of the musical-comedy "Leathernecking" (1930). The studio thought highly enough of Dunne to next cast her opposite Richard Dix in their large scale western "Cimarron" (1931). Playing a character that provides support to her family but possesses her own share of shortcomings, Dunne received a Best Actress Academy Award nomination and the movie became the first Western to win Best Picture honors. Despite this distinction and enthusiastic reviews, the production was a commercial disappointment in relation to its immense cost. Dunne continued to toil for RKO in potboilers like "Back Street" (1932) and "Thirteen Women" (1932), but soon found an excellent vehicle for her talents in the company's adaptation of Edith Wharton's "The Age of Innocence" (1934). Loaned out to Universal, she enjoyed a further strong dramatic vehicle in the form of "Magnificent Obsession" (1935), but Hollywood was also wise enough to start taking advantage of Dunne's other talents. This began on "Roberta" (1935), which found Dunne sharing the screen with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, and performing two songs, including the highly popular "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes." Impressed with her talents, Universal brought her back for their cinematic incarnation of "Show Boat" (1936). As the memorably named heroine Magnolia Hawks, Dunne sang several of Jerome Kern's famous songs and her portrayal of the initially sheltered heroine ranked among the movie's foremost pleasures. In later years, this version was suppressed in favor of the 1951 remake, making it difficult for Dunne's fans to view some of her finest work from that period.One film that thankfully stayed in circulation and won Dunne many fans was the screwball comedy classic "Theodora Goes Wild" (1936), which found her acting for Columbia, the rising studio that had just enjoyed huge success with the engaging romantic farce "It Happened One Night" (1934). Dunne played the titular role of a small town girl-turned-best-selling author whose naughty book scandalizes her local community. Displaying wonderful comedic timing and an excellent rapport with co-star Melvyn Douglas, Dunne received another Oscar nomination for that performance and a third one soon after for "The Awful Truth" (1937), where she and Cary Grant played a soon-to-be-divorced couple determined to scuttle each other's new relationships. The two stars interacted with all of the amusing precision that made the best 1930s screwball comedies so delightful and the picture did brisk business. Both comedy and drama figured into the storyline of "Love Affair" (1939), one of the actress' most enduring films. While Dunne and Grant made a wonderful couple in "The Awful Truth," her pairing with French star Charles Boyer in this superb production made for some especially effective romantic chemistry. The result was yet another Academy Award nod that ended in disappointment.Dunne and Grant were soon reteamed for a pair of pictures, "My Favorite Wife" (1940) and "Penny Serenade" (1941). The former was an entertaining confection along similar lines to their earlier collaboration, but "Penny Serenade" was a much different enterprise. As a couple forced to deal with a series of events that test their love, Dunne and Grant proved just as adept at conveying more somber dramatic material in what was their final project together. Dunne graced a few other noteworthy films that decade, with the World War I romantic drama "The White Cliffs of Dover" (1944) and the lavish "Anna and the King of Siam" (1946) finding her in especially good form. However, "I Remember Mama" (1948) offered one of her finest turns. As the wise matriarch of a Norwegian family who made San Francisco their home in the early 1900s, she did an admirable job of embodying a woman who made numerous sacrifices to ensure her children good lives. Dunne received the last of five Oscar nominations for the movie and while she did not win, that performance was often cited as the finest she gave. Dunne went on to grace three more films, including a trip to England to star as Queen Victoria in the period drama "The Mudlark" (1950), but retired from the screen after "It Grows on Trees" (1952), making only occasional appearances on television programs during the next decade. Once acting was no longer her primary concern, Dunne found much in her life that provided diversion and fulfillment. In 1957, she was named an alternate delegate to the United Nations and later became the first woman on the Technicolor Corporation's Board of Directors. Dunne also dabbled in real estate acquisition, supported the Republican Party in various capacities, and contributed to charitable endeavors. In addition to a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the actress was presented with the Kennedy Center Honors Lifetime Achievement Award in 1985. Dunne succumbed to heart failure at her Los Angeles home on Sept. 4, 1990.By John Charles

Filmography

Life Events

1920

Failed singing audition at New York's Metropolitan Opera

1922

First role on Broadway in "The Clinging Vine"

1930

Film acting debut in "Leathernecking"

1931

Confirmed as a star with her role in her second film, "Cimarron"; received her first Oscar nomination as Best Actress

1936

First notable screwball comedy success, "Theodora Goes Wild"

1937

Last full-fledged musical, "High, Wide and Handsome"

1948

Received last of five Oscar nominations as Best Actress for "I Remember Mama"

1952

Last film, "It Grows on Trees"

1952

Hosted a season of the TV anthology drama, "Schlitz Playhouse of Stars"

1957

Appointed alternate delegate to the United Nations' 12th General Assembly by President Eisenhower

1965

Became a board member of Technicolor

Photo Collections

The Awful Truth - Movie Poster

Here is the American One-Sheet Movie Poster from Columbia's The Awful Truth (1937), starring Irene Dunne and Cary Grant. One-sheets measured 27x41 inches, and were the poster style most commonly used in theaters.

Penny Serenade - Movie Posters

Here are two different styles of the American one-sheet movie poster for Penny Serenade (1941), starring Cary Grant and Irene Dunne. One-sheets measured 27x41 inches, and were the poster style most commonly used in theaters.

Theodora Goes Wild - Movie Posters

Life with Father - Lobby Card Set

Here is a set of Lobby Cards from Warner Bros' Life with Father (1947), starring William Powell, Irene Dunne, and Elizabeth Taylor. Lobby Cards were 11" x 14" posters that came in sets of 8. As the name implies, they were most often displayed in movie theater lobbies, to advertise current or coming attractions.

I Remember Mama - Publicity Stills

Here are a few Publicity Stills from the RKO film I Remember Mama (1948). Publicity stills were specially-posed photos, usually taken off the set, for purposes of publicity or reference for promotional artwork.

I Remember Mama - Movie Poster

Here is the American one-sheet movie poster for I Remember Mama (1948), starring Irene Dunne. One-sheets measured 27x41 inches, and were the poster style most commonly used in theaters.

Roberta - Irene Dunne Publicity Stills

Here are a few photos of Irene Dunne taken to help publicize RKO's Roberta (1935). Publicity stills were specially-posed photos, usually taken off the set, for purposes of publicity or reference for promotional artwork.

Love Affair (1939) - Scene Stills

Here are a few scene stills from Love Affair (1939), directed by Leo McCarey and starring Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer.

Never a Dull Moment - Scene Stills

Here are a few scene stills from RKO's Never a Dull Moment (1950), starring Irene Dunne and Fred MacMurray.

A Guy Named Joe - Publicity Stills

Here are a few stills taken to help publicize MGM's A Guy Named Joe (1943), starring Spencer Tracy and Irene Dunne. Publicity stills were specially-posed photos, usually taken off the set, for purposes of publicity or reference for promotional artwork.

Thirteen Women - Publicity Stills

Here are a few Publicity Stills from Thirteen Women (1932), starring Myrna Loy and Irene Dunne. Publicity stills were specially-posed photos, usually taken off the set, for purposes of publicity or reference for promotional artwork.

Stingaree - Movie Posters

Here are a few original release movie posters from RKO's Stingaree (1934), directed by William Wellman and starring Richard Dix and Irene Dunne.

Stingaree - Jumbo Lobby Cards

Here are a few jumbo lobby cards from RKO's Stingaree (1934), directed by William Wellman and starring Irene Dunne and Richard Dix.

Cimarron - Lobby Cards

Here are some Lobby Cards from Cimarron (1931), starring Richard Dix and Irene Dunne. Lobby Cards were 11" x 14" posters that came in sets of 8. As the name implies, they were most often displayed in movie theater lobbies, to advertise current or coming attractions.

Stingaree - Glass Slide

Here is a Glass Slide for the RKO film Stingaree (1934), starring Richard Dix and Irene Dunne. Glass slides were used by many theaters to promote coming attractions during slide shows between movie screenings.

Irene Dunne - Publicity Stills

Here are a number of studio publicity photos of Irene Dunne.

Stingaree - Scene Stills

Here are several scene stills from the RKO film Stingaree (1934), starring Richard Dix and Irene Dunne.

Stingaree - Publicity Stills

Here are several publicity stills from RKO's Stingaree (1934), starring Richard Dix and Irene Dunne. Publicity stills were specially-posed photos, usually taken off the set, for purposes of publicity or reference for promotional artwork.

Stingaree - Behind-the-Scenes Stills

Here are a few stills taken behind-the-scenes during production of RKO's Stingaree (1934), directed by William Wellman and starring Irene Dunne and Richard Dix.

Stingaree - Sheet Music

Here is the cover to original sheet music for a song from RKO's Stingaree (1934), starring Richard Dix and Irene Dunne. The song is "Tonight is Mine" by Gus Kahn and Frank Harling.

Irene Dunne Cigarette Card

This is a small cigarette card for actress Irene Dunne. These cards were included in Cigarette packs in the 30's and 40's and were collectible items. Customers could even purchase books to organize and collect these cards. John Player & Sons was an active Cigarette Card producer, creating a wide range of cards featuring famous people of which film stars were an often popular draw.