Jane Darwell (born Patti Woodard; October 15, 1879 – August 13, 1967) was an American actress of stage, film, and television. With appearances in more than 100 major movies spanning half a century, Darwell is perhaps best remembered for her poignant portrayal of the matriarch and leader of the Joad family in the film adaptation of

John Steinbeck John Ernst Steinbeck ( ; February 27, 1902 – December 20, 1968) was an American writer. He won the 1962 Nobel Prize in Literature "for his realistic and imaginative writings, combining as they do sympathetic humor and keen social percep ...

's '' The Grapes of Wrath'', for which she received the

Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress The Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress is an award presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). It has been awarded since the 9th Academy Awards to an actress who has delivered an outstanding performanc ...

. She has a star on the

Hollywood Walk of Fame The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a landmark which consists of 2,813 five-pointed terrazzo-and-brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in the Hollywood, Los Angeles, Hollywood dist ...

Early life

Born to William Robert Woodard, president of the Louisville Southern Railroad, and Ellen Booth Woodard in Palmyra, Missouri, Darwell originally intended to become a circus rider, then later an opera singer. Her father, however, objected to those career plans, so she compromised by becoming an actress, changing her name to Darwell to avoid sullying the family name. The Jane Darwell Birthplace was added to the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the Federal government of the United States, United States federal government's official United States National Register of Historic Places listings, list of sites, buildings, structures, Hist ...

in 1984. Some sources give Darwell's birth name as Patti Woodward.

Career

Darwell studied voice culture and the piano, followed by dramatics. At one point, she decided to enter a convent, then changed her mind and became an actress. She began acting in theater productions in Chicago and made her first film appearance in 1913. She appeared in almost 20 films over the next two years, then returned to the stage. After a 15-year absence from films, she appeared in '' Tom Sawyer'' (1930), and her career as a Hollywood character actress began. Short, stout and plain, she was quickly cast in a succession of films, usually as the mother of one of the main characters. She also appeared in five

Shirley Temple Shirley Temple Black (born Shirley Jane Temple; April 23, 1928 – February 10, 2014) was an American actress, singer, dancer, and diplomat, who was Hollywood's number-one box-office draw as a child actress from 1934 to 1938. Later, she was na ...

films, usually as the housekeeper or grandmother. Best supporting actor and actress 1940

She won an

as Ma Joad in '' The Grapes of Wrath'' (1940), a role she was given at the insistence of Henry Fonda, the film's star. A contract player with

20th Century Fox 20th Century Studios, Inc., formerly 20th Century Fox, is an American film studio, film production and Film distributor, distribution company owned by the Walt Disney Studios (division), Walt Disney Studios, the film studios division of the ...

, Darwell was memorably cast in '' The Ox-Bow Incident'', and occasionally starred in B movies and played featured parts in scores of major films. Darwell had noted appearances on the stage as well; in 1944, she was popular in the stage comedy ''Suds in Your Eye'', in which she played an Irishwoman who had inherited a junkyard. By the end of her career, she had appeared in more than 170 films, including '' Huckleberry Finn'' (1931), ''

Jesse James Jesse Woodson James (September 5, 1847April 3, 1882) was an American outlaw, Bank robbery, bank and Train robbery, train robber, guerrilla and leader of the James–Younger Gang. Raised in the "Little Dixie (Missouri), Little Dixie" area of M ...

'' (1939), ''

Gone with the Wind Gone with the Wind most often refers to: * Gone with the Wind (novel), ''Gone with the Wind'' (novel), a 1936 novel by Margaret Mitchell * Gone with the Wind (film), ''Gone with the Wind'' (film), the 1939 adaptation of the novel Gone with the Wind ...

'' (1939), '' The Devil and Daniel Webster'' (1941), '' The Ox-Bow Incident'' (1943), and '' My Darling Clementine'' (1946). On the television front, Darwell was among the guest stars on an episode of ''

Faye Emerson's Wonderful Town ''Faye Emerson's Wonderful Town'', also known as ''Wonderful Town, USA'', is a half-hour variety television series that aired on CBS from June 16, 1951, to April 19, 1952, in which Faye Emerson visits various cities. Episodes of the program wer ...

'', a variety series that aired on CBS from 1951 to 1952 in which hostess Faye Emerson visits a different city each week to accent the local music. In 1954, Darwell appeared with

Andy Clyde Andrew Allan Clyde (March 25, 1892 – May 18, 1967), was a Scottish-born American film and television actor whose career spanned some 45 years. In 1921 he broke into silent films as a Mack Sennett comic, debuting in ''On a Summer Day''. H ...

in the episode "Santa's Old Suit" of the series '' The Pepsi-Cola Playhouse''. This same episode was re-run the following Christmas 1955 on '' Studio 57''. In 1959, she appeared with child actor Roger Mobley in the episode "Mr. Rush's Secretary" on '' Buckskin'', starring Tom Nolan and Sally Brophy. That same year she appeared in the TV Western series '' Wagon Train'' as “Mrs. Anderson” in the S2E23 episode “The Vivian Carter Story”. She guest starred on John Bromfield's crime drama ''Sheriff of Cochise''. On July 27, 1961, Darwell appeared as Grandmother McCoy in an episode of the sitcom '' The Real McCoys''. In the story, the series characters played by

Walter Brennan Walter Andrew Brennan (July 25, 1894 – September 21, 1974) was an American actor and singer. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for ''Come and Get It (1936 film), Come and Get It'' (1936), ''Kentucky (film), Kentucky'' (19 ...

, Richard Crenna, and Kathleen Nolan return to fictitious Smokey Corners, West Virginia for Grandmother McCoy's 100th birthday gathering. Darwell was 15 years older than "son" Walter Brennan. Pat Buttram and Henry Jones appeared in this episode as Cousin Carl and Jed McCoy, respectively. On February 8, 1960, Darwell received a star on the

for her contributions to the motion-picture industry; it is located at 6735 Hollywood Boulevard. In her mid-eighties, Darwell was semi-retired from acting, other than a rare television guest appearance. She had recently moved into the Motion Picture Country Home because of her advanced age and feebleness. When Disney offered her the role of the Bird Woman in ''

Mary Poppins Mary Poppins may refer to: * Mary Poppins (character), a nanny with magical powers * Mary Poppins (franchise), based on the fictional nanny ** Mary Poppins (book series), ''Mary Poppins'' (book series), the original 1934–1988 children's fanta ...

'' (1964), Darwell declined the role. Walt Disney, still insistent, personally drove to the retirement home to plead with her and she agreed to take the part. But it was her last acting role. In this pivotal scene in the movie, the Bird Woman at the steps of

St Paul's Cathedral St Paul's Cathedral, formally the Cathedral Church of St Paul the Apostle, is an Anglican cathedral in London, England, the seat of the Bishop of London. The cathedral serves as the mother church of the Diocese of London in the Church of Engl ...

Square sells bags of bread crumbs to passers-by to feed the pigeons. The "poignant" song " Feed the Birds" was sung by Julie Andrews, as a

hymn A hymn is a type of song, and partially synonymous with devotional song, specifically written for the purpose of adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification. The word ''hymn'' d ...

-like lullaby.

Death

Darwell died on August 13, 1967, at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital of a

heart attack A myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when Ischemia, blood flow decreases or stops in one of the coronary arteries of the heart, causing infarction (tissue death) to the heart muscle. The most common symptom ...

at the age of 87.

Partial filmography

*''

Brewster's Millions ''Brewster's Millions'' is a comedic novel written by George Barr McCutcheon in 1902, originally under the pseudonym of Richard Greaves. The plot concerns a young man whose grandfather leaves him $1 million in a will, but a competing will from ...

'' (1914) as Mrs. Dan De Mille *'' The Master Mind'' (1914) as Milwaukee Sadie *'' The Only Son'' (1914) as Mrs. Brainerd *''

The Man on the Box ''The Man on the Box'' is a 1914 American silent comedy-drama film In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. The drama of this ki ...

'' (1914) as Mrs. Chadwick *'' Ready Money'' (1914) as Mrs. Tyler *'' Rose of the Rancho'' (1914) as Senora Castro Kenton / Juanita's Mother *'' The Hypocrites'' (1915) as Madam (uncredited) *'' The Goose Girl'' (1915) as Irma *'' After Five'' (1915) as Mrs. Russell - Aunt Diddy *'' The Rug Maker's Daughter'' (1915) as Mrs. Van Buren *'' The Reform Candidate'' (1915) as Mrs. Haggerty *'' Little Church Around the Corner'' (1923) as Anxious Woman at Mine Disaster (uncredited) *'' Tom Sawyer'' (1930) as Widow Douglas *'' Fighting Caravans'' (1931) as Pioneer Woman (uncredited) *'' Huckleberry Finn'' (1931) as Widow Douglas *'' Ladies of the Big House'' (1931) as Mrs. Turner *'' No One Man'' (1932) as Patient (uncredited) *'' Young America'' (1932) as Schoolteacher (uncredited) *'' The Strange Case of Clara Deane'' (1932) as Mortimer's Wife (uncredited) *'' Back Street'' (1932) as Mrs. Adolph Schmidt *'' Washington Merry-Go-Round'' (1932) as Alice's Aunt (uncredited) *'' Hot Saturday'' (1932) as Mrs Ida Brock *'' Women Won't Tell'' (1932) as Mrs. Walter Robinson *''

Air Hostess A flight attendant is a member of the aircrew whose primary responsibility is ensure the safety of passengers in the cabin of an aircraft across all stages of flight. Their secondary duty is to see to the comfort of passengers. Flight attenda ...

'' (1933) as Ma Kearns *'' The Past of Mary Holmes'' (1933) *'' Child of Manhattan'' (1933) as Mrs. McGonegle *''

Murders in the Zoo ''Murders in the Zoo'' is a 1933 pre-Code horror film directed by A. Edward Sutherland, written by Philip Wylie and Seton I. Miller. Particularly dark, even for its time, film critic Leonard Maltin called the film "astonishingly grisly." Plot B ...

'' (1933) as Banquet Guest (uncredited) *'' Bondage'' (1933) as Mrs. Elizabeth Wharton *'' The Girl in 419'' (1933) as Nurse Esmond (uncredited) *''

Emergency Call An emergency telephone number is a number that allows a caller to contact local emergency services for assistance. The emergency number differs from country to country; it is typically a three-digit number so that it can be easily remembered and ...

'' (1933) as Head Nurse Brown (uncredited) *''

Jennie Gerhardt ''Jennie Gerhardt'' is a 1911 novel by Theodore Dreiser. Plot summary Jennie Gerhardt is a destitute young woman. While working in a hotel in Columbus, Ohio, Jennie meets George Brander, a United States Senator, who becomes infatuated with her ...

'' (1933) as Boardinghouse Keeper (uncredited) *''

Bed of Roses Bed of roses is an English expression that represents a carefree life. This idiomatic expression is still popular. In the thirteenth-century work Le Roman de la Rose (called "The French Iliad" in Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable), a L ...

'' (1933) as Mrs. Webster - Head Prison Matron (uncredited) *'' Before Dawn'' (1933) as Mrs. Marble *'' He Couldn't Take It'' (1933) as Mrs. Case *'' One Sunday Afternoon'' (1933) as Mrs. Lind *'' Ann Vickers'' (1933) as Mrs. Gage (uncredited) *'' Aggie Appleby, Maker of Men'' (1933) as Mrs. Spence - Landlady (uncredited) *'' Only Yesterday'' (1933) as Mrs. Lane *'' Design for Living'' (1933) as Curtis' Housekeeper *'' Roman Scandals'' (1933) as Roman Spa Proprietress (uncredited) *'' King for a Night'' (1933) as Mrs. Williams (uncredited) *'' Cross Country Cruise'' (1934) as Mrs. O'Hara (uncredited) *'' Fashions of 1934'' (1934) as Customer at Maison Elegance (uncredited) *'' Wonder Bar'' (1934) as Baroness (uncredited) *''

Heat Lightning Heat lightning (not to be confused with dry thunderstorms, which are also often called dry lightning) is a misnomer used for the faint flashes of lightning on the horizon or other clouds from distant thunderstorm A thunderstorm ...

'' (1934) as Gladys *'' David Harum'' (1934) as Mrs. Woolsey (uncredited) *'' Journal of a Crime'' (1934) as Dinner Guest (uncredited) *'' Once to Every Woman'' (1934) as Mrs. Wood *''

Finishing School A finishing school focuses on teaching young women social graces and upper-class cultural rites as a preparation for entry into society. The name reflects the fact that it follows ordinary school and is intended to complete a young woman's ...

'' (1934) as Maude - interns' Receptionist (uncredited) *'' The Scarlet Empress'' (1934) as Miss Cardell, Sophia's Nurse (uncredited) *'' Change of Heart'' (1934) as Mrs. McGowan *'' Let's Talk It Over'' (1934) as Mrs. O'Keefe *'' The Most Precious Thing in Life'' (1934) as Mrs. O'Day *''

Blind Date A blind date is a romantic meeting between two people who have never met before. Both parties arrange a date with little to no information about each other, hoping for the possibility of making a lasting impression. Typically, a family member or ...

'' (1934) as Ma Taylor *'' Million Dollar Ransom'' (1934) as Ma McGarry (uncredited) *'' Embarrassing Moments'' (1934) as Mrs. Stuckelberger *'' One Night of Love'' (1934) as Mrs. Barrett - Mary's Mother (uncredited) *'' Desirable'' (1934) as Frederick's Mother (uncredited) *'' Wake Up and Dream'' (1934) as Landlady *'' Happiness Ahead'' (1934) as Mrs. Davis - the Landlady *'' Tomorrow's Youth'' (1934) as Mary O'Brien *''

The Firebird ''The Firebird'' (; ) is a ballet and orchestral concert work by the Russian composer Igor Stravinsky. It was written for the 1910 Paris season of Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes company; the original choreography was by Michel Fokine, who c ...

'' (1934) as Mrs. Miller - Apartment House Tenant (uncredited) *'' The White Parade'' (1934) as Miss 'Sailor' Roberts *'' Gentlemen Are Born'' (1934) as Landlady (uncredited) *'' Bright Eyes'' (1934) as Elizabeth Higgins *'' One More Spring'' (1935) as Mrs. Mary Sweeney *'' McFadden's Flats'' (1935) as Nora McFadden *'' Life Begins at 40'' (1935) as Ida Harris *'' Curly Top'' (1935) as Mrs. Henrietta Denham *'' Navy Wife'' (1935) as Mrs. Louise Keats *'' Metropolitan'' (1935) as Grandma (uncredited) *'' We're Only Human'' (1935) as Mrs. Walsh *'' Paddy O'Day'' (1936) as Dora *'' The Country Doctor'' (1936) as Mrs. Graham *'' The First Baby'' (1936) as Mrs. Ellis *'' Captain January'' (1936) as Mrs. Eliza Croft *'' Private Number'' (1936) as Mrs. Meecham *'' Little Miss Nobody'' (1936) as Martha Bradley *''

The Poor Little Rich Girl ''The Poor Little Rich Girl'' is a 1917 American comedy-drama film directed by Maurice Tourneur. Adapted by Frances Marion from the 1913 play by Eleanor Gates. The Broadway play actually starred future screen actress Viola Dana. The film st ...

'' (1936) as Woodward *'' White Fang'' (1936) as Maud Mahoney *'' Star for a Night'' (1936) as Mrs. Martha Lind *'' Ramona'' (1936) as Aunt Ri Hyar *'' Craig's Wife'' (1936) as Mrs. Harold *'' Laughing at Trouble'' (1936) as Glory Bradford *'' Love Is News'' (1937) as Mrs. Flaherty *'' Nancy Steele Is Missing!'' (1937) as Mrs. Mary Flaherty *'' The Great Hospital Mystery'' (1937) as Miss Sarah Keats *'' Fifty Roads to Town'' (1937) as Mrs. Henry *''

Slave Ship Slave ships were large cargo ships specially built or converted from the 17th to the 19th century for transporting Slavery, slaves. Such ships were also known as "Guineamen" because the trade involved human trafficking to and from the Guinea ( ...

'' (1937) as Mrs. Marlowe *'' The Singing Marine'' (1937) as "Ma" Marine *'' Wife, Doctor and Nurse'' (1937) Mrs. Krueger *'' Dangerously Yours'' (1937) as Aunt Cynthia Barton *'' Change of Heart'' (1938) as Mrs. Thompson *'' The Jury's Secret'' (1938) as Mrs. Sheldon *'' Battle of Broadway'' (1938) as Mrs. Rogers *''

Three Blind Mice "Three Blind Mice" is an English nursery rhyme and musical round.I. Opie and P. Opie, ''The Oxford Dictionary of Nursery Rhymes'' (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1951, 2nd edn., 1997), p. 306. It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 3753. ...

'' (1938) as Mrs. Killan *'' Little Miss Broadway'' (1938) as Miss Hutchins *'' Time Out for Murder'' (1938) as Polly - Helen's Supervisor *'' Five of a Kind'' (1938) as Mrs. Waldron *''

Up the River ''Up the River'' is a 1930 American pre-Code comedy film directed by John Ford, and starring Claire Luce, Spencer Tracy and Humphrey Bogart. The plot concerns escaped convicts, as well as a female convict. It was the feature film debut role o ...

'' (1938) as Mrs. Graham *''

'' (1939) as Mrs. Samuels *'' Inside Story'' (1939) as Aunt Mary Perkins *'' The Zero Hour'' (1939) as Sophie *'' Unexpected Father'' (1939) as Mrs. Callahan *'' Grand Jury Secrets'' (1939) as Mrs. Keefe *'' The Rains Came'' (1939) as Aunt Phoebe - Mrs. Smiley *'' 20,000 Men a Year'' (1939) as Mrs. Allen *''

'' (1939) as Mrs. Merriwether *'' Miracle on Main Street'' (1939) as Mrs. Herman *'' The Grapes of Wrath'' (1940) as Ma Joad *'' Untamed'' (1940) as Mrs. Maggie Moriarty *''

Brigham Young Brigham Young ( ; June 1, 1801August 29, 1877) was an American religious leader and politician. He was the second President of the Church (LDS Church), president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 1847 until h ...

'' (1940) as Eliza Kent *'' Youth Will Be Served'' (1940) as Supervisor Stormer *'' Chad Hanna'' (1940) as Mrs. Huguenine *'' Thieves Fall Out'' (1941) as Grandma Allen *'' Private Nurse'' (1941) as Miss Adams *'' The Devil and Daniel Webster'' (1941) as Ma Stone *'' All Through the Night'' (1942) as Mrs. 'Ma' Donahue *'' Young America'' (1942) as Grandmother Nora Campbell *'' On the Sunny Side'' (1942) as Annie *'' Small Town Deb'' (1942) as Katie *'' It Happened in Flatbush'' (1942) as Mrs. Maguire *'' Men of Texas'' (1942) as Mrs.Scott aka Aunt Hattie *'' The Loves of Edgar Allan Poe'' (1942) as Mrs. Mariah Clemm *''

Highways by Night ''Highways by Night'' is a 1942 American crime drama film directed by Peter Godfrey from a screenplay by Lynn Root and Frank Fenton, based on the story ''Silver Spoon'', by Clarence Budington Kelland. The film stars Richard Carlson and Jane ...

'' (1942) as Grandma Fogarty *''

The Great Gildersleeve ''The Great Gildersleeve'' was a radio situation comedy broadcast in the United States from August 31, 1941 to 1958. Initially written by Leonard Lewis Levinson, it was one of broadcast history's earliest spin-off programs. The series was buil ...

'' (1942) as Aunt Emma Forrester *'' Gildersleeve's Bad Day'' (1943) as Aunt Emma Forrester *'' The Ox-Bow Incident'' (1943) as Ma Grier *''

Stage Door Canteen The Stage Door Canteen was an entertainment venue for American and Allied servicemen that operated in the Broadway theatre district of New York City throughout World War II. Founded by the American Theatre Wing (ATW) in 1942, the entertainers w ...

'' (1943) as herself *'' Government Girl'' (1943) as Miss Trask (uncredited) *'' Tender Comrade'' (1943) as Mrs. Henderson *'' Reckless Age'' (1944) as Mrs. Connors *'' The Impatient Years'' (1944) as Minister's Wife *'' Music in Manhattan'' (1944) as Mrs. Pearson *'' She's a Sweetheart'' (1944) as Mom *'' Sunday Dinner for a Soldier'' (1944) as Mrs. Helen Dobson *'' I Live in Grosvenor Square'' (1945) as Mrs. Patterson *'' Captain Tugboat Annie'' (1945) as Tugboat Annie *'' The Dark Horse'' (1946) as Aunt Hattie *'' Three Wise Fools'' (1946) as Sister Mary Brigid *'' My Darling Clementine'' (1946) as Kate Nelson *'' Keeper of the Bees'' (1947) as Mrs. Ferris *'' The Red Stallion'' (1947) as Mrs. Aggie Curtis *'' Train to Alcatraz'' (1948) as Aunt Ella *'' 3 Godfathers'' (1948) as Miss Florie *'' Red Canyon'' (1949) as Aunt Jane *'' The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady'' (1950) as Mrs. Murphy *'' Wagon Master'' (1950) as Sister Ledyard *'' Caged'' (1950) as Isolation Matron *'' Surrender'' (1950) as Molly Hale *'' Redwood Forest Trail'' (1950) as Hattie Hickory *'' Three Husbands'' (1950) as Mrs. Wurdeman *''

The Second Face ''The Second Face'' is a 1950 romantic drama film directed by Jack Bernhard and starring Ella Raines as a plain woman whose life is drastically changed by plastic surgery. Plot Claire Elwood runs to her car and speeds away. Phyllis Holmes chases ...

'' (1950) as Mrs. Lockridge *'' Father's Wild Game'' (1950) as Minverva Bobbin *'' The Lemon Drop Kid'' (1951) as Nellie Thursday *'' Excuse My Dust'' (1951) as Mrs. Belden *'' Journey into Light'' (1951) as Mack *'' We're Not Married!'' (1952) as Mrs. Bush *'' The Sun Shines Bright'' (1953) as Mrs. Aurora Ratchitt *'' It Happens Every Thursday'' (1953) as Mrs. Eva Spatch *'' Affair with a Stranger'' (1953) as Ma Stanton *'' The Bigamist'' (1953) as Mrs. Connelley *'' Hit the Deck'' (1955) as Jenny *'' There's Always Tomorrow'' (1955) as Mrs. Rogers *'' A Life at Stake'' (1955) as Landlady *'' Girls in Prison'' (1956) as Matron Jamieson *'' The Last Hurrah'' (1958) as Delia Boylan *'' Hound-Dog Man'' (1959) as Grandma Wilson *'' New Comedy Showcase'' (1960) (Season 1 Episode 1: "You're Only Young Twice") as Olga *''

The Alfred Hitchcock Hour ''Alfred Hitchcock Presents'' is an American television anthology series created, hosted and produced by Alfred Hitchcock, airing on CBS and NBC, alternately, between 1955 and 1965. It features dramas, thrillers, and mysteries. Between 1962 a ...

'' (1964) (Season 2 Episode 17: "The Jar") as Granny Carnation *''

'' (1964) as The Bird Woman (final film role)

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Darwell, Jane 1879 births 1967 deaths Actresses from Missouri American film actresses American stage actresses Best Supporting Actress Academy Award winners People from Marion County, Missouri Actresses from Los Angeles 20th-century American actresses 20th Century Studios contract players