Durbin, Deanna (1921–)

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Durbin, Deanna (1921–)

Canadian-born actress and singer. Born Edna Mae Durbin, Dec 4, 1921, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; studied voice at Ralph Thomas' Academy in Los Angeles, California; m. Vaughn Paul, 1941 (div.); m. Felix Jackson (movie producer), 1945 (div.); m. Charles David (film executive), 1950.

At 14, debuted at MGM in musical short Every Sunday (1936); made 1st feature film, Three Smart Girls (1936), popularizing the song "Someone to Care for Me," followed by One Hundred Men and a Girl (1937); was given a special Academy Award (1938); one of the top box-office attractions during the WWII years, sang for soldiers at USO clubs and appeared on a number of radio shows; retired from film at age 27. Films include: Mad About Music (1938), Spring Parade (1940), The Amazing Mrs. Holliday (1943), Christmas Holiday (1944), Lady on a Train (1945), I'll Be Yours (1947), Something in the Wind (1947) and For the Love of Mary (1948).

See also Women in World History.