Who is the actress pictured?

Joan Crawford, born Lucille Fay LeSuer, was an American film and television actress who began her career as a dancer and stage showgirl. In 1925 Crawford signed a contract with MGM. Crawford often played hard-working young women who find romance and success, earning support from depression-era audiences.

Crawford became one of Hollywood’s most prominent stars and was one of the highest-paid women in the US. But, by the end of the 30s her movies were losing money and she was labelled “box office poison”. In the 40s she made a comeback and, in 1945, won a Best Actress Oscar for “Mildred Pierce”. She would receive further Best Actress nominations for “Possessed” (1947) and “Sudden Fear” (1952). She continued acting through the 60s but was gradually fading from view. After the release of the British horror film “Trog” in 1970, Crawford retired. In 1974 she withdrew from public life and became increasingly reclusive until her death in 1977.

Crawford was married 4 times: Douglas Fairbanks, Jr, 1929, divorced 1933; Franchot Tone, 1935, divorced 1939; Phillip Terry, 1942, divorced 1946; Alfred Steele 1955 until his death 1959.

Crawford adopted 5 children. One was reclaimed by his birth mother. Crawford’s relationships with her two older children, Christina and Christopher, were acrimonious. Crawford disinherited the two. Crawford became famous again after her death when Christina wrote the well-known tell-all memoir, “Mommie Dearest”.