Jody Lawrance: Difference between revisions
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'''Jody Lawrance ''' |
'''Jody Lawrance '''(born '''Nona Josephine Goddard'''; October 19, 1930 – July 10, 1986) was an American actress who starred in many Hollywood films during the 1950s through the early 1960s. |
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==Biography== |
==Biography== |
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Lawrance was born on October 19, 1930 as Nona Josephine Goddard or Josephine Lawrence Goddard<ref>{{cite journal|title=Names|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CEpQAQAAIAAJ|year=1975|page=236}}</ref><ref name="Clarke">{{Cite book|title=Pseudonyms|author=Joseph F. Clarke|publisher=BCA|date=1977|page=100}}</ref> (sources disagree) in [[Fort Worth, Texas]] to Ervin Silliman "Doc" and Eleanor Roeck Goddard. Her parents divorced when she was very young, and she lived in a series of foster homes as a child.<ref name='Brightness'>{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/525750018/ |url-access=subscription |title=The people who polish a star to brightness |last=Goodman |first=Ezra |author-link= |date=21 Jan 1961 |website= |series= |publisher=Philadelphia Daily News |agency= |location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |page=8 |access-date=19 June 2024 |url-status= |archive-url= |archive-date= |via=newspapers.com |quote=Jody Lawrance's relationship with [Marilyn] Monroe has been kept secret, and this was the first time she had been interviewed on the subject. Lawrance and Monroe lived together for several years. }}</ref> |
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When Lawrance came to live with her father and his new wife at the age of 11, a young Marilyn Monroe, then known by her real name of Norma Jean Baker, also lived at the home.<ref name="1940-USCensus-Doc"> |
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⚫ | {{cite web |date=1940-04-04 |title=Sixteenth Census of the United States (1940) [database on-line], Los Angeles (Assembly District 60), Los Angeles County, California, Enumeration District: 60-238, Page: 5A, Line: 15, household of Ervin S. Goddard |url=https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2442/images/m-t0627-00408-00592?pId=69116161/ |url-access=subscription |publisher=The Generations Network |location=[[United States]]}} |
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{{cite web |
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</ref> The girls spent a great deal of of time together.<ref name="Brightness" /> |
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|url=https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2442/images/m-t0627-00408-00592?pId=69116161/ |url-access=subscription |
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|publisher= The Generations Network |
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|location= [[United States]] |
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|date=1940-04-04 |
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}} |
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</ref><ref name='1940-USCensus-Eleanor'> |
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{{cite web |
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|title=Sixteenth Census of the United States (1940) [database on-line], Dallas (Justice District 1), Dallas County, Texas, Enumeration District: 255-45, Page: 2B, Line: 64, household of Thelma Wimpee |
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|url=https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2442/images/m-t0627-04173-00657?pId=160621598|url-access=subscription |
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|publisher= The Generations Network |
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|location= [[United States]] |
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|date=1940-04-03 |
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}} |
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</ref> |
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⚫ | Lawrance attended [[Beverly Hills High School]] and [[Hollywood Professional School]],<ref name="mn">{{cite news |title=Hollywood's New Look |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/50541375/jody-lawrance/ |accessdate=May 9, 2020 |work=The Miami News |date=December 22, 1951 |location=Florida, Miami |page=4|via = [[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> training as an actress with Bento Schneider. In 1946, Lawrance performed as a swimmer in the Larry Crosby Water Show.{{Citation needed |date=September 2023}} |
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However, enumerated with Doc and Grace in 1940 at their Los Angeles home was a ward named Norma Jean Baker ([[Marilyn Monroe]]).<ref name='1940-USCensus-Doc'/> When Jody was eleven, she moved into the household. Jody and Marilyn spent a lot of time together and would often hide in the tree house in the front yard when they thought they would get in trouble with Jody's father and stepmother.<ref name='Brightness'/> |
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In 1949, she adopted the screen name Jody (short for Josephine) Lawrance (her maternal grandmother's maiden name) for her first role as Mary on ''[[The Silver Theatre]]'' television show.{{Citation needed |date=September 2023}} |
In 1949, she adopted the screen name Jody (short for Josephine) Lawrance (her maternal grandmother's maiden name) for her first role as Mary on ''[[The Silver Theatre]]'' television show.{{Citation needed |date=September 2023}} |
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Her first big break came in 1949 when she was signed to a |
Her first big break came in 1949 when she was signed to a seven-year contract with [[Columbia Pictures]], earning $250 per week.{{Citation needed |date=September 2023}} In 1951, Lawrance made her screen debut in ''[[Mask of the Avenger]]'', starring [[John Derek]]. ''[[The Family Secret (1951 film)|The Family Secret]]'' was her second film, again starring Derek along with [[Lee J. Cobb]], followed by ''[[Ten Tall Men]]'' starring [[Burt Lancaster]], which premiered in October 1951. |
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⚫ | In 1952, she won the lead role in ''[[The Son of Dr. Jekyll]]'' with Louis Hayward and ''[[The Brigand (film)|The Brigand]]'' starring Anthony Dexter. In 1953, Columbia asked Lawrance to |
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Wanting to continue working, Lawrance took the role of [[Pocahontas]] in the controversial independent film ''[[Captain John Smith and Pocahontas]]'' which was universally panned and was a box office failure due to film's low budget and depiction of onscreen gun violence. Lawrance, on a budget, dyed her own hair black and suffered a horrible allergic reaction, but persevered and delivered one of her most memorable performances. Lawrance changed her last name to Lawrence for this film. It is unknown if it was because of contractual obligations, or simply a spelling mistake. |
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In the Thomas article, Lawrence went on to say, "If I had to do it over again, I would do it differently. I realize now that cheesecake and publicity are an important part of the movie business."<ref name='Thomas-Waitress'/> |
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During one of her shifts, she reportedly attempted to hide from Lancaster, her former co-star in ''Ten Tall Men,'' as he entered the restaurant. He spotted her anyway. "If you knew the jobs I've had," he said, "you wouldn't hide your face."<ref name='Kitchen'/> |
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Burt later exclaimed, "What is Jody Lawrance, a movie star, doing working as a waitress?" Lawrance explained her situation and Burt vowed to help get her back into show business. A few weeks later, true to his word, Burt introduced Lawrence to his friend, the director of ''Casablanca'' [[Michael Curtiz]]. He subsequently spotted her at the restaurant himself, remembered her, offered her a screen test and cast Lawrance in the film ''[[The Scarlet Hour]]'' with Carol Ohmart and Tom Tryon. |
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Lawrance’s career and home life were at a crossroads; she still held on to the belief that she could once again resurrect her career, but Bruce wanted a wife and mother to stay home and raise their family. Unsure about what path to choose, in April, 1958, Lawrance travelled to Las Vegas twice to file, then changed her mind and dismissed each divorce complaint. |
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Both citing emotional cruelty, Bruce Tilton was granted a divorce from Lawrance on March 26, 1958, and asked for custody of their daughter, now 5 months old. |
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Lawrance continued to find work even though her personal life was in turmoil. She landed a minor role opposite [[Shirley MacLaine]] in ''[[The Hot Spell]]'', and a leading role in an episode of the ''[[Perry Mason (1957 TV series)|Perry Mason]]'' television series, "Case of the Perjured Parrot." |
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In 1959, Lawrance found another minor role in the mobster movie ''The Purple Gang'' starring [[Barry Sullivan (actor)|Barry Sullivan]] and [[Robert Blake (actor)|Robert Blake]]. |
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On June 3, 1960, Lawrance temporarily lost custody of Victoria. |
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⚫ | In 1952, she won the lead role in ''[[The Son of Dr. Jekyll]]'' with Louis Hayward and ''[[The Brigand (film)|The Brigand]]'' starring Anthony Dexter. In 1953, Columbia asked Lawrance to appear in the musical ''[[All Ashore]]'' with [[Mickey Rooney]]. Unsure of her singing ability, Lawrance asked to be replaced by another actress who would be better suited for the role. Columbia refused and Lawrance reluctantly made the film, but the studio branded her as a troublemaker, and in 1953 she was released from her contract. |
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Lawrance continued to try to find work, but the roles became more infrequent. This included work in television programs like ''[[The Loretta Young Show]]'', ''[[The Red Skelton Hour]]'' and ''[[The Rebel (American TV series)|The Rebel]]''. In the first season of the latter series, she appeared in two episodes including the season finale, "The Earl of Durango," where she played a pivotal role. Her last film, ''[[Stagecoach to Dancers' Rock]]'' starring [[Martin Landau]], was released in 1962. |
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⚫ | Lawrance took the role of [[Pocahontas]] in the controversial independent film ''[[Captain John Smith and Pocahontas]]''. For the role, she dyed her hair black and suffered a severe allergic reaction. She is billed with the last name of Lawrence for the film, but it is unknown whether this was because of contractual obligations or simply a spelling mistake. In 1954, needing money, Lawrance took a job as a waitress at Robb's Restaurant in the Westwood district of [[Los Angeles]] and Blum's Ice Cream and Candy Shop in Beverly Hills. When asked in an interview why her career failed, she explaineds, "I see now that I was temperamental. I didn't cooperate with publicity. I didn't want to do cheesecake, not because my legs are bad, because they aren't. My entire training has been as an actress, I didn't want to submit to the usual starlet routine. .... If I had to do it over again, I would do it differently. I realize now that cheesecake and publicity are an important part of the movie business."<ref name="Thomas-Waitress">{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/525750018/ |url-access=subscription |title=From star to waitress: Jody Lawrence slips fast in three years |last=Thomas |first=Bob |author-link= |date=27 Jan 1955 |website=Newspapers.com |series= |publisher=The Herald-News (via Associated Press) |agency= |location=Passaic, New Jersey |page=8 |access-date=1 Jan 2021 |url-status= |archive-url= |archive-date= |via= |quote=My entire training has been as an actress, I didn't want to submit to the usual starlet routine. }}</ref><ref name="Kitchen">{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/66660853/come-out-of-the-kitchen-jody/ |url-access=subscription |title=Come out of the kitchen, Jody! |last=Berg |first=Louis |author-link= |date=25 Mar 1956 |website=Newspapers.com |series= |publisher=Los Angeles Times |agency= |location=Los Angeles |page=278 |access-date=1 Jan 2021 |url-status= |archive-url= |archive-date= |via= |quote=She got put on the graveyard shift, made the rounds of TV during the day, got a few parts. Then Michael Curtiz, the director, spotted her in the restaurant, remembered her, tested her for a role and put her under contract.}}</ref> |
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It was during this time that Lawrance met and fell in love with Robert Wolf Herre. Unlike her previous relationships, he was not blinded by the limelights of Hollywood. Instead he was an avid outdoorsman who appealed to Lawrance’s adventurous side. Playing golf, camping, and going on fishing trips, were a regular part of life together for almost 25 years. |
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⚫ | After recognizing Lawrance at the restaurant, former costar Burt Lancaster introduced her to director [[Michael Curtiz]], who offered her a [[screen test]] and cast her in the 1956 film ''[[The Scarlet Hour]]''.<ref name='Kitchen'/> Lawrance's career was reignited and [[Paramount Pictures]] signed her to a contract at $300 a week. In October, Lawrance was named as one of the "Deb Stars of '55" along with [[Anita Ekberg]] and [[Kathryn Crosby|Kathryn Grant]], and 1956 brought the release of ''[[The Leather Saint]]'', reuniting her with John Derek and starring [[Cesar Romero]]. |
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Lawrance and Herre married on November 1, 1962, in Las Vegas. |
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On May 16, 1961, Lawrance gave birth to her son, Robert Wolf Herre, Jr. Their daughter Abigail Christian "Chrissy" Herre was born on October 10, 1963. |
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Lawrance landed a minor role opposite [[Shirley MacLaine]] in ''[[The Hot Spell]]'' and a leading role in an episode of the ''[[Perry Mason (1957 TV series)|Perry Mason]]'' television series titled "Case of the Perjured Parrot." In 1959, she found another minor role in the mobster film ''[[The Purple Gang (film)|The Purple Gang]]'' starring [[Barry Sullivan (actor)|Barry Sullivan]] and [[Robert Blake (actor)|Robert Blake]]. She appeared in episodes of television programs such as ''[[The Loretta Young Show]]'', ''[[The Red Skelton Hour]]'' and ''[[The Rebel (American TV series)|The Rebel]]''. Her last film, ''[[Stagecoach to Dancers' Rock]]'' starring [[Martin Landau]], was released in 1962. |
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Outside of the limelight, Lawrance focused her energies on her family and outdoor activities. An avid golfer, Mrs. Herre participated in the [[Ojai, California|Ojai]] Valley Country Club women's championship tournament in 1964.<ref name='Ojai-Tournament'>{{cite web |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/?clipping_id=66647543&fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjYyNTEzNzc3NiwiaWF0IjoxNjA5NTYyOTk0LCJleHAiOjE2MDk2NDkzOTR9.4GMyE9JpJeHu5sCcPWNSyKeS7sD5suMRxZCuhoeYNAY |url-access=subscription |title=Ojai Golf Club title at stake |author=<!--Not stated--> |author-link= |date=6 May 1964 |website=Newspapers.com |series= |publisher=Ventura County Star-Free Press |agency= |location=Ventura, California |page=15 |access-date=1 Jan 2021 |url-status= |archive-url= |archive-date= |via= |quote=Mrs. W. G. Briggs has already won the tourney's first flight title with a 4-and-3 win over Mrs. Robert Herre. }}</ref> |
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Lawrance married Robert Wolf Herre on November 1, 1962, in Las Vegas. Lawrance had two children with Herre. She died at age 55 at the Ventura County Medical Center in [[Ventura, California]] on July 10, 1986. Her body was cremated. |
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==Filmography== |
==Filmography== |
Revision as of 23:59, 29 June 2024
This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2021) |
Jody Lawrance | |
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Born | Nona Josephine Goddard October 19, 1930 Fort Worth, Texas, U.S. |
Died | July 10, 1986 Ventura, California, U.S. | (aged 55)
Resting place | Ashes sprinkled within Ojai Valley in California |
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 1949–1962 |
Spouses | Bruce Michael Tilton
(m. 1957; div. 1958)Robert Wolf Herre (m. 1962) |
Children | 3 |
Jody Lawrance (born Nona Josephine Goddard; October 19, 1930 – July 10, 1986) was an American actress who starred in many Hollywood films during the 1950s through the early 1960s.
Biography
Lawrance was born on October 19, 1930 as Nona Josephine Goddard or Josephine Lawrence Goddard[1][2] (sources disagree) in Fort Worth, Texas to Ervin Silliman "Doc" and Eleanor Roeck Goddard. Her parents divorced when she was very young, and she lived in a series of foster homes as a child.[3]
When Lawrance came to live with her father and his new wife at the age of 11, a young Marilyn Monroe, then known by her real name of Norma Jean Baker, also lived at the home.[4] The girls spent a great deal of of time together.[3]
Lawrance attended Beverly Hills High School and Hollywood Professional School,[5] training as an actress with Bento Schneider. In 1946, Lawrance performed as a swimmer in the Larry Crosby Water Show.[citation needed]
In 1949, she adopted the screen name Jody (short for Josephine) Lawrance (her maternal grandmother's maiden name) for her first role as Mary on The Silver Theatre television show.[citation needed]
Her first big break came in 1949 when she was signed to a seven-year contract with Columbia Pictures, earning $250 per week.[citation needed] In 1951, Lawrance made her screen debut in Mask of the Avenger, starring John Derek. The Family Secret was her second film, again starring Derek along with Lee J. Cobb, followed by Ten Tall Men starring Burt Lancaster, which premiered in October 1951.
In 1952, she won the lead role in The Son of Dr. Jekyll with Louis Hayward and The Brigand starring Anthony Dexter. In 1953, Columbia asked Lawrance to appear in the musical All Ashore with Mickey Rooney. Unsure of her singing ability, Lawrance asked to be replaced by another actress who would be better suited for the role. Columbia refused and Lawrance reluctantly made the film, but the studio branded her as a troublemaker, and in 1953 she was released from her contract.
Lawrance took the role of Pocahontas in the controversial independent film Captain John Smith and Pocahontas. For the role, she dyed her hair black and suffered a severe allergic reaction. She is billed with the last name of Lawrence for the film, but it is unknown whether this was because of contractual obligations or simply a spelling mistake. In 1954, needing money, Lawrance took a job as a waitress at Robb's Restaurant in the Westwood district of Los Angeles and Blum's Ice Cream and Candy Shop in Beverly Hills. When asked in an interview why her career failed, she explaineds, "I see now that I was temperamental. I didn't cooperate with publicity. I didn't want to do cheesecake, not because my legs are bad, because they aren't. My entire training has been as an actress, I didn't want to submit to the usual starlet routine. .... If I had to do it over again, I would do it differently. I realize now that cheesecake and publicity are an important part of the movie business."[6][7]
After recognizing Lawrance at the restaurant, former costar Burt Lancaster introduced her to director Michael Curtiz, who offered her a screen test and cast her in the 1956 film The Scarlet Hour.[7] Lawrance's career was reignited and Paramount Pictures signed her to a contract at $300 a week. In October, Lawrance was named as one of the "Deb Stars of '55" along with Anita Ekberg and Kathryn Grant, and 1956 brought the release of The Leather Saint, reuniting her with John Derek and starring Cesar Romero.
However, in 1957, Paramount suddenly released Lawrance from her contract after studio executives learned that she had secretly married and was pregnant. Her daughter Victoria was born on October 6, 1957. The marriage ended in 1958.
Lawrance landed a minor role opposite Shirley MacLaine in The Hot Spell and a leading role in an episode of the Perry Mason television series titled "Case of the Perjured Parrot." In 1959, she found another minor role in the mobster film The Purple Gang starring Barry Sullivan and Robert Blake. She appeared in episodes of television programs such as The Loretta Young Show, The Red Skelton Hour and The Rebel. Her last film, Stagecoach to Dancers' Rock starring Martin Landau, was released in 1962.
Lawrance married Robert Wolf Herre on November 1, 1962, in Las Vegas. Lawrance had two children with Herre. She died at age 55 at the Ventura County Medical Center in Ventura, California on July 10, 1986. Her body was cremated.
Filmography
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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1949 | The Silver Theater | Mary | Episode: "The Guiding Star" |
1951 | Mask of the Avenger | Maria d'Orsini | |
1951 | The Family Secret | Lee Pearson | |
1951 | Ten Tall Men | Mahla | |
1951 | The Son of Dr. Jekyll | Lynn Utterson | |
1952 | The Brigand | Princess Teresa | |
1953 | All Ashore | Nancy Flynn | |
1953 | Captain John Smith and Pocahontas | Pocahontas | (as Jody Lawrence) |
1953-1955 | Fireside Theater | Adelina / Artist | Episodes: "The Critic" (1953) and "Bitter Grapes" (1955) |
1956 | The Scarlet Hour | Kathy Stevens | |
1956 | The Leather Saint | Pearl Gorman | |
1957 | The Millionaire | Peggy | Episode: "The Jim Driskill Story" |
1958 | Hot Spell | Dora May | |
1958 | Perry Mason | Ellen Monteith | Episode: "The Case of the Perjured Parrot" |
1959 | State Trooper | Patty Roberts | Episode: "Let 'Em Eat Smoke" |
1959 | M Squad | Rebecca Traxler | Episode: "Murder in C-Sharp Minor" |
1959 | The Purple Gang | Joan MacNamara | |
1960 | Letter to Loretta | Miss Vivan | Episode: "Mrs. Minton" |
1959-1960 | The Rebel | Lorena / Kate | Episodes: "The Scavengers" (1959) and "The Earl of Durango" (1960) |
1962 | Stagecoach to Dancers' Rock | Dr. Ann Thompson |
Notes
- ^ "Names". 1975: 236.
{{cite journal}}
: Cite journal requires|journal=
(help) - ^ Joseph F. Clarke (1977). Pseudonyms. BCA. p. 100.
- ^ a b Goodman, Ezra (21 Jan 1961). "The people who polish a star to brightness". Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Philadelphia Daily News. p. 8. Retrieved 19 June 2024 – via newspapers.com.
Jody Lawrance's relationship with [Marilyn] Monroe has been kept secret, and this was the first time she had been interviewed on the subject. Lawrance and Monroe lived together for several years.
- ^ "Sixteenth Census of the United States (1940) [database on-line], Los Angeles (Assembly District 60), Los Angeles County, California, Enumeration District: 60-238, Page: 5A, Line: 15, household of Ervin S. Goddard". United States: The Generations Network. 1940-04-04.
- ^ "Hollywood's New Look". The Miami News. Florida, Miami. December 22, 1951. p. 4. Retrieved May 9, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Thomas, Bob (27 Jan 1955). "From star to waitress: Jody Lawrence slips fast in three years". Newspapers.com. Passaic, New Jersey: The Herald-News (via Associated Press). p. 8. Retrieved 1 Jan 2021.
My entire training has been as an actress, I didn't want to submit to the usual starlet routine.
- ^ a b Berg, Louis (25 Mar 1956). "Come out of the kitchen, Jody!". Newspapers.com. Los Angeles: Los Angeles Times. p. 278. Retrieved 1 Jan 2021.
She got put on the graveyard shift, made the rounds of TV during the day, got a few parts. Then Michael Curtiz, the director, spotted her in the restaurant, remembered her, tested her for a role and put her under contract.
External links
- Jody Lawrance at IMDb
- Jody Lawrance at AllMovie
- Jody Lawrance at the TCM Movie Database