Joan Lorring was an American actress who is best known for her roles in The Corn Is Green, The Verdict, and Alfred Hitchcock Presents. She was born Madeline Ellis on April 17, 1926, in Hong Kong, China.
Personal and Family Life
Joan Lorring was born to Ania Fred, a Russian Jewish immigrant. After leaving Hong Kong during WWII, she moved with her mother to California to pursue an acting career. She married Dr. Martin Sonenberg in 1956, and they had two daughters together, Santha and Andrea. Joan had a passion for baking and contributed articles related to bread baking to several magazines.
Career
Joan Lorring began her acting career in radio before transitioning to film with her debut in Song of Russia (1944). She garnered attention for her role in The Corn Is Green (1945), which earned her an Academy Award nomination. Despite a promising start, her film career declined in the late 1940s, leading her to perform in theater and television. Joan later enjoyed a mini comeback in the 1970s with roles in movies and soap operas.
Death and Legacy
Joan Lorring passed away on May 30, 2014, in Sleepy Hollow, New York. She lived a full life and was survived by her two daughters. Despite her contributions to film and theater, she was overlooked in the Oscar memorial tribute following her death, a mistake that was never corrected.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Gangster | 1947-11-25 | Dorothy |
| Three Strangers | 1946-01-28 | Icey Crane |
| The Verdict | 1946-11-23 | Lottie Rawson |
| The Big Night | 1951-12-07 | Marion Rostina |
| The Corn Is Green | 1945-03-29 | Bessie Watty |
| The Lost Moment | 1947-11-21 | Amelia |
| Imbarco a mezzanotte | 1952-03-12 | Angela, a lonely woman |
| The Other Love | 1947-05-14 | Celestine |
| Good Sam | 1948-09-01 | Shirley Mae |
| The Bridge of San Luis Rey | 1944-02-11 | Pepita |
| The Midnight Man | 1974-03-07 | Judy Willinger |
| The Star Wagon | 1966-10-20 | Martha |
| Song of Russia | 1944-02-10 | Sonia |
| The Philco Television Playhouse | 1948-10-03 | |
| Suspense | 1949-01-06 | |
| Alfred Hitchcock Presents | 1955-10-02 | Emma Borden |
| Robert Montgomery Presents | 1950-01-30 | |
| Norby | 1955-01-05 | Helen Norby |
| For the People | 1965-01-31 | |
| The Love Boat | 1977-09-24 | Mrs. Cummings |