Jane Wyman

Jane Wyman (born Sarah Jane Mayfield on January 5, 1917, in St. Joseph, Missouri – September 10, 2007) was an American actress known for her work in both film and television. She received numerous accolades throughout her career, including an Academy Award for Best Actress, four Golden Globe Awards, and nominations for two Primetime Emmy Awards. In 1960, she was honored with stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her contributions to both motion pictures and television. Wyman was married to Ronald Reagan, who later became the President of the United States, and she was his first wife.

Early Life:

Sarah Jane Mayfield was the daughter of Gladys Hope (née Christian) and Manning Jeffries Mayfield. Her father was employed as a laborer for a meal company, and her mother worked as a doctor's stenographer and office assistant. She was an only child. Her parents married in March 1916 in Jackson County, Missouri. The 1920 census recorded her as three years old, living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her parents divorced in October 1921, and her father died unexpectedly three months later. Following her father's death, her mother relocated to Cleveland, Ohio, and Wyman was raised by her neighbors, Emma and Richard D. Fulks. She adopted the surname Fulks informally, which appeared on her school records and marriage certificate. Wyman described her childhood as marked by strict discipline, leading to feelings of bitterness.

In 1928, at age 11, she moved with her foster mother to California. She returned to Missouri in 1930, attending Lafayette High School in Saint Joseph. That year, she began her radio singing career under the stage name Jane Durrell and altered her birthdate by three years to comply with legal age restrictions. After dropping out of high school at age 15, she moved to Hollywood and worked various odd jobs, including as a manicurist and switchboard operator.

Career:

Wyman's show business career began with uncredited roles in films such as The Kid from Spain (1932) and Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933). She had training with Edward Albert Prinz at his dance academy in St. Joseph, Missouri, and was later recruited by LeRoy Prinz for chorus roles at Paramount Pictures, appearing in films including College Rhythm (1934) and Anything Goes (1936).

In 1936, Wyman signed her first studio contract with Warner Bros., where she remained for approximately twenty years. During this period, she appeared in numerous films, gradually progressing from bit parts to supporting roles. Her early work included films like Miracle in the Rain (1956), her last film under contract with Warner Bros. It was released nearly twenty years after her contract began.

Her breakthrough as a leading actress came with the film The Lost Weekend (1945). She gained critical acclaim for her performances in films such as The Lost Weekend (1945), The Yearling (1946), Johnny Belinda (1948), and others. Wyman received four Academy Award nominations for Best Actress before winning the award for Johnny Belinda (1948), where she played a deaf-mute rape victim. Notably, she was the first sound-era actress to win the Oscar without speaking any dialogue in her film.

Transition to Television and Later Career:

In 1955, Wyman transitioned into television, establishing her own production company, Lewman Productions Ltd., in partnership with MCA Inc. She served as executive producer, host, and star of NBC’s Fireside Theatre, which was later rebranded with her name. Following this, her career experienced a decline, with intermittent retirements throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Her acting career saw a resurgence with her role as Angela Channing in the primetime soap opera Falcon Crest (1981–1990). She retired from acting in 1993 after an appearance on Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.

Death:

Jane Wyman died of natural causes at her residence in September 2007 at the age of 90.