How did Joan Blondell Die Age, Bio, Grease, Actress, Movies

Last Updated on October 27, 2023 by Sabina

Joan Blondell Biography

Joan Blondell (née Joan Crawford; August 30, 1906 – September 25, 1979) was an American actress who appeared in films, on stage, and on television. Her brassy personality and blonde hair earned Joan Blondell the nickname “The Blonde Bombshell.”

The vaudeville career of her family affected Joan Blondell’s education, leading to an irregular academic path. She enrolled at Santa Monica High School, where she not only committed to her studies but also actively participated in school plays and assumed the role of editing the school’s yearbook.

She briefly attended North Texas State Teacher’s College (present-day University of North Texas) in Denton during 1926-1927, as her mother was a locally recognized stage actress. Nevertheless, her strong desire to pursue acting as a career prompted her to leave college and enter the world of entertainment.

Joan Blondell Age

Joan Blondell was born on August 30, 1906, and died on September 25, 1979. She was 73 years old when she died.

Joan Blondell Family

Blondell’s parents divorced during her youth, and her mother took on the responsibility of raising her. She began her acting career at a young age, appearing in vaudeville shows with her mother.

In 1923, Blondell changed her name to Joan Blondell to avoid confusion with the actress Joan Crawford. She made her film debut in 1928, and quickly became a star. She appeared in a number of successful films in the 1930s, including The Public Enemy (1931), Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933), and The Three Musketeers (1935).

Blondell was a versatile actress who could play a variety of roles. Her roles frequently typecast her as a wisecracking blonde, yet she demonstrated her versatility by excelling in both dramatic and comedic portrayals. Her performance in “The Blue Veil” (1951) earned her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Blondell continued to work in films and on television until her death in 1979. We remember her as one of the great actresses of the Golden Age of Hollywood.

Joan Blondell Husband | Joan Blondell Children

Joan Blondell was married four times and had two children.

• Her first husband was cinematographer George Barnes (1933-1936). They had one son together, Norman Scott Barnes, who became an accomplished producer, director, and television executive known as Norman Powell.
• Her second husband was actor, director, and singer Dick Powell (1936-1944). They had one daughter together, Ellen Powell, who became a studio hair stylist.
• Her third husband was producer Mike Todd (1947-1950). They divorced in 1950. Todd later married Elizabeth Taylor.
• Her fourth and final husband was actor Arthur Lake (1957-1979). They were together until her death in 1979.

Blondell’s marriages were often troubled. She was a heavy smoker and drinker, and she had a reputation for being difficult to work with. Her marriages often ended in divorce.

Blondell’s final marriage to Arthur Lake was the most successful. They were together for 22 years until her death in 1979. Lake was a supportive husband and helped Blondell through her final years.

Joan Blondell Actress

Joan Blondell was an American actress who appeared in films, on stage, and on television. She was known for her brassy personality and her blonde hair, which earned her the nickname “The Blonde Bombshell”.

Blondell was born in New York City to vaudeville performers Joseph and Frances Crawford. She began her career on the stage in the early 1920s, and made her film debut in 1928. She quickly became a star, appearing in such films as The Public Enemy (1931), Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933), and The Three Musketeers (1935).

Blondell was a versatile actress who could play a variety of roles. She was often cast as a wisecracking blonde, but she could also be dramatic and comedic. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in The Blue Veil (1951).

Blondell continued to work in films and on television until her death in 1979. She is remembered as one of the great actresses of the Golden Age of Hollywood.

Joan Blondell Movie

1. “Public Enemy” (1931) – Blondell had a supporting role in this gangster film starring James Cagney.
2. “Gold Diggers of 1933” (1933) – She starred in this musical comedy alongside other well-known actors of the time.
3. “Three on a Match” (1932) – Blondell appeared in this pre-Code crime drama.
4. “Footlight Parade” (1933) – She had a significant role in this musical film.
5. “Night Nurse” (1931) – Blondell starred in this pre-Code drama alongside Barbara Stanwyck.
6. “Dames” (1934) – She appeared in another musical comedy.
7. “Blonde” (1931) – Joan Blondell starred alongside James Cagney in this crime comedy.
8. “Topper Returns” (1941) – She appeared in the third film in the “Topper” series.
9. “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” (1945) – Blondell had a role in this drama based on the novel by Betty Smith.
10. “Cry Havoc” (1943) – She starred in this war drama set during World War II.
11. “Grease” (1978) – Blondell had a role in the iconic musical as Vi, the waitress.
12. “The Cincinnati Kid” (1965) – She appeared in this gambling-themed drama alongside Steve McQueen.
13. “Bullets or Ballots” (1936) – Blondell starred in this crime film alongside Edward G. Robinson and Humphrey Bogart.
14. “Stand-In” (1937) – She had a role in this comedy film set in the world of filmmaking.
15. “Desk Set” (1957) – Blondell appeared in this comedy alongside Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy.

Joan Blondell Grease

Blondell did not appear in the film Grease. The film was released in 1978, 12 years after Blondell’s death in 1966.

Blondell would have been 72 years old at the time of the film’s release. She had retired from acting in 1960, and had been in poor health for several years before her death.

If Blondell had appeared in Grease, she likely would have played the role of Mrs. Murdock, the principal of Rydell High School. The role was ultimately played by actress Eve Arden.

How did Joan Blondell Die

Joan Blondell died of lung cancer on September 25, 1979, at the age of 73. She had been diagnosed with lung cancer in 1977, and had undergone surgery and chemotherapy. However, the cancer spread to her brain and bones, and she died at her home in Beverly Hills, California.

Blondell was a heavy smoker and drinker for most of her life, and she had a history of respiratory problems. She was also a survivor of breast cancer, which she had been diagnosed with in 1962.

Blondell’s death was a major loss to the Hollywood community. She was a beloved actress and a pioneer for women in the film industry. She will be remembered for her brassy personality, her blonde hair, and her many memorable roles in films such as The Public Enemy (1931), Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933), and The Blue Veil (1951).

Joan Blondell Net worth

The actress had an estimated net worth of $2 million at the time of her death in 1979. This was equivalent to $10 million in today’s dollars.