Jane Gilbert (actress)

Jane Gilbert
Born
Susan Jane Kies

(1919-08-31)August 31, 1919
Dubuque, Iowa, U.S.
DiedSeptember 21, 2004(2004-09-21) (aged 85)
OccupationActress
SpouseWilliam Hopper
RelativesMargaret Lindsay (sister)[1]

Jane Gilbert (born Susan Jane Kies,[2] August 31, 1919 – September 21, 2004[3])[4] was an American actress.

Early years

Gilbert was born in Dubuque, Iowa,[2] the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Kies, who had five other daughters and one son.[5] She was the sister of actress Margaret Lindsay.[6] As a student at Dubuque High School,[7] she participated in sports,[4] graduating in 1937. Gilbert also studied in dramatic schools.[5]

Career

She acted in the Boothbay Stock Company[4] in Boothbay, Maine, using the name Gilbert because people were unsure how to pronounce Kies.[8] A 20th Century Fox scout offered her a film contract while she was appearing in Death Takes a Holiday, but she rejected it, citing a desire to gain more experience on stage. Soon afterward, she performed in What a Life in New York.[9]

While in Maine, Gilbert did a screen test for Warner Bros. Pictures but heard no results. Eventually, she went to Hollywood, where Margaret Lindsay introduced Gilbert as her sister, Jane Lindsay. Studio officials finally realized that Jane Lindsay was the same actress as Jane Gilbert, whose screen test they found to be good.[2] In August 1939, Gilbert signed a long-term contract with Warner Bros. As she became a member of that company, Lindsay was leaving it, possibly to avoid competing for roles with her sister, but perhaps also because she had complained about her recent treatment by the Warner Bros.[8]

On radio, Gilbert portrayed Kathleen Carney in Bachelor's Children.[10]

Personal life

Gilbert was married to actor William Hopper, and in 1947 they had one daughter, Joan.[11] Jane Gilbert passed away 24 Sep 2004.[12]

References

  1. ^ Kear, Lynn; Rossman, John (2016). The Complete Kay Francis Career Record: All Film, Stage, Radio and Television Appearances. McFarland. p. 249. ISBN 978-1-4766-0287-5. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c "Margaret Lindsay's Sister Jane Fools 'Em, Too". Oakland Tribune. California, Oakland. November 26, 1939. p. 76. Retrieved April 7, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims 1936-2007". Ancestry.com. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  4. ^ a b c "Jane Gilbert". Detroit Free Press. Michigan, Detroit. Screen & Radio Weekly. January 7, 1940. p. 12. Retrieved April 7, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b "Kies Girls To Play In Same Picture". The Des Moines Register. Iowa, Des Moines. July 30, 1939. p. 2. Retrieved April 7, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ Kear, Lynn; Rossman, John (2016). The Complete Kay Francis Career Record: All Film, Stage, Radio and Television Appearances. McFarland. p. 249. ISBN 978-1-4766-0287-5. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  7. ^ "Margaret Lindsay Has A Rival Within Family". Des Moines Tribune. Iowa, Des Moines. August 23, 1937. p. 11. Retrieved April 7, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ a b "Margaret Lindsay Quits Studio to Help Sister; Foresees Future Rivalry". Calgary Herald. Canada, Alberta, Calgary. September 2, 1939. p. 8. Retrieved April 7, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Will Sister Make Margaret Jealous?". Oakland Tribune. California, Oakland. September 25, 1938. p. 64. Retrieved April 7, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Valuable Diamonds Restored As Actress Turns Detective". The Greenville News. South Carolina, Greenville. December 16, 1941. p. 14. Retrieved April 8, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Hopper Has Background For Tough Mason Roles". San Antonio Express. Texas, San Antonio. March 22, 1958. p. 9. Retrieved April 8, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims 1936-2007". Ancestry.com. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
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