Ellen Drew (born Esther Loretta Ray; November 23, 1914 – December 3, 2003) was an American film actress.

Early life

Drew, born in

Kansas City, Missouri Kansas City (abbreviated KC or KCMO) is the largest city in Missouri by population and area. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the city had a population of 508,090 in 2020, making it the List of United States cities by populat ...

in 1914, was the daughter of an Irish-born barber. She had a younger brother, Arden. Her parents separated in 1931. She worked in multiple jobs and won a number of beauty contests before becoming an actress.Katz, Ephraim (1979). ''The Film Encyclopedia: The Most Comprehensive Encyclopedia of World Cinema in a Single Volume'', Perigee Books; , pg. 359. Moving to Hollywood in an attempt to become a star, she was discovered while working at an ice cream parlor where one of the customers, actor

William Demarest Carl William Demarest (February 27, 1892 – December 27, 1983) was an American character actor, known especially for his roles in screwball comedies by Preston Sturges and for playing Uncle Charley in the sitcom '' My Three Sons'' Demarest, ...

, took notice of her and eventually helped her get into films.

Career

Ray's venture into the movies brought about a conflict in names when she tried starting her career with the name Terry Ray, which happened to be the name of another Terry Ray, a male actor. A 1937 newspaper photo showed the resolution of the conflict as "They conferred, drew lots from the hat, and masculine Terry Ray became Terry Rains, while feminine Terry Ray remained as before." She later tried the name of Erin Drew. After appearing in 25 features using her birth name, she became a fixture at

Paramount Pictures Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film and television production company, production and Distribution (marketing), distribution company and the main namesake division of Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS). It is the fifth-oldes ...

officially as Ellen Drew from 1938 to 1944, where she appeared in as many as six films per year, including '' Sing You Sinners'' (1938) with

Bing Crosby Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby Jr. (May 3, 1903 – October 14, 1977) was an American singer, musician and actor. The first multimedia star, he was one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th century worldwide. He was a ...

and '' The Lady's from Kentucky'' (1939) with

George Raft George Raft (born George Ranft; September 26, 1901 – November 24, 1980) was an American film actor and dancer identified with portrayals of gangsters in crime melodramas of the 1930s and 1940s. A stylish leading man in dozens of movies, Raft is ...

. She moved to RKO in 1944. Among her leading men were

Ronald Colman Ronald Charles Colman (9 February 1891 – 19 May 1958) was an English-born actor, starting his career in theatre and silent film in his native country, then immigrating to the United States and having a successful Cinema of the United States, ...

William Holden William Holden (born William Franklin Beedle Jr.; April 17, 1918 – November 12, 1981) was an American actor, and one of the biggest box-office draws of the 1950s. Holden won the Academy Award for Best Actor for the film ''Stalag 17'' (1953) ...

Basil Rathbone Philip St. John Basil Rathbone MC (13 June 1892 – 21 July 1967) was a South African-born English actor. He rose to prominence in the United Kingdom as a Shakespearean stage actor and went on to appear in more than 70 films, primarily costume ...

Dick Powell Richard Ewing Powell (November 14, 1904 – January 2, 1963) was an American actor, musician, producer, director, and studio head. Though he came to stardom as a musical comedy performer, he showed versatility, and successfully transformed into ...

, and Robert Preston (in '' The Night of January 16th'' and ''

Night Plane from Chungking ''Night Plane from Chungking'' (also known as ''China Pass'' and ''Sky Over China'') is a 1943 American war film released by Paramount Pictures, directed by Ralph Murphy, and produced by Michael Kraike and Walter MacEwen from a screenplay by Les ...

''). Her films include '' Christmas in July'' (1940), ''Isle of the Dead'' (1945), ''

Johnny O'Clock ''Johnny O'Clock'' is a 1947 American film noir crime film starring Dick Powell and Evelyn Keyes, and directed by Robert Rossen. Plot Johnny O'Clock (Dick Powell) is a junior partner in a posh casino with Guido Marchettis ( Thomas Gomez). Com ...

'' (1947), '' The Man from Colorado'' (1948), ''

The Crooked Way ''The Crooked Way'' is a 1949 American film noir crime film directed by Robert Florey and starring John Payne, Sonny Tufts and Ellen Drew. The film, with a similar plot (a war hero loses his memory stateside) to another film noir '' Somewhere in ...

'' (1949) and '' The Baron of Arizona'' with

Vincent Price Vincent Leonard Price Jr. (May 27, 1911 – October 25, 1993) was an American actor, art historian, art collector and gourmet cook. He appeared on stage, television, and radio, and in more than 100 films. Price has two stars on the Hollywood Wal ...

(1950). In the 1950s, with her movie career on the decline, she worked as a television actress. Among her final roles was the part of Julia Webberly in the 1960 '' Perry Mason'' episode, "The Case of the Larcenous Lady".

Radio

On June 23, 1943, Drew co-starred with

Agnes Moorehead Agnes Robertson Moorehead (December 6, 1900April 30, 1974) was an American actress. In a career spanning four decades, her credits included work in radio, stage, film, and television.Obituary ''Variety'', May 8, 1974, page 286. Moorehead was th ...

and Ted Reid in "Uncle Henry's Rosebush" on ''

Suspense Suspense is a state of mental uncertainty, anxiety, being Decision-making, undecided, or being Doubt, doubtful. In a Drama, dramatic work, suspense is the anticipation of the wikt:outcome, outcome of a plot (narrative), plot or of the solution t ...

'', and on July 25, 1943, she co-starred with

Preston Foster Preston Stratton Foster (August 24, 1900 – July 14, 1970), was an American actor of stage, film, radio, and television, whose career spanned nearly four decades. He also had a career as a vocalist. Early life Born in Ocean City, New Jersey ...

in "China Bridge", a presentation of '' Silver Theater'' on CBS radio. She also appeared twice on the ''Kate Smith Hour''.

Death

Drew died on December 3, 2003, in

Palm Desert, California Palm Desert is a city in Riverside County, California, United States, in the Coachella Valley, approximately east of Palm Springs, northeast of San Diego and east of Los Angeles. The population was 48,445 at the 2010 census. The city has bee ...

, of a liver ailment, aged 89. She was

cremated Cremation is a method of final disposition of a dead body through burning. Cremation may serve as a funeral or post-funeral rite and as an alternative to burial. In some countries, including India and Nepal, cremation on an open-air pyre ...

and her ashes scattered at sea.

Honors

For her contributions to the motion picture industry, Drew was honored with a star on the

Hollywood Walk of Fame The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a historic landmark which consists of more than 2,700 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood, Calif ...

in 1960, located at 6901 Hollywood Blvd.

In popular culture

A highly fictionalized version of her appears in James Ellroy's novels '' Perfidia'' and '' This Storm''.

Partial filmography

* ''

The Return of Sophie Lang ''The Return of Sophie Lang'' is a 1936 American drama film directed by George Archainbaud and written by Frederick Irving Anderson, Brian Marlow and Patterson McNutt. The film stars Gertrude Michael, Guy Standing, Ray Milland, Elizabeth Patter ...

'' (1936) as Secretary (uncredited) * ''

Rhythm on the Range ''Rhythm on the Range'' is a 1936 American Western musical film directed by Norman Taurog and starring Bing Crosby, Frances Farmer, and Bob Burns. Based on a story by Mervin J. Houser, the film is about a cowboy who meets a beautiful young wom ...

'' (1936) as Party Guest (uncredited) * ''

Yours for the Asking ''Yours for the Asking'' is a 1936 American comedy film film starring George Raft as a casino owner and Dolores Costello as the socialite he hires as hostess. The movie also features Ida Lupino and was directed by Alexander Hall. Plot Johnny La ...

'' (1936) (uncredited) * '' My American Wife'' (1936) as Party Guest (uncredited) * ''

Hollywood Boulevard Hollywood Boulevard is a major east–west street in Los Angeles, California. It begins in the east at Sunset Boulevard in the Los Feliz district and proceeds to the west as a major thoroughfare through Little Armenia and Thai Town, Hollywoo ...

'' (1936) as Terry Ray - Casting Office Secretary (uncredited) * ''

Lady Be Careful ''Lady Be Careful'' is a 1936 American drama film directed by Theodore Reed and written by Dorothy Parker, Alan Campbell, and Harry Ruskin, adapted from the play by Kenyon Nicholson and Charles Knox Robinson. The film stars Lew Ayres, Mary Carl ...

'' (1936) as Girl in Sailboat * ''

Wives Never Know ''Wives Never Know'' is a 1936 American black-and-white comedy film directed by Elliott Nugent. Written by Frederick Hazlitt Brennan, Edwin Justus Mayer and Keene Thompson, the film stars Charlie Ruggles, Mary Boland, and Adolphe Menjou, and w ...

'' (1936) (uncredited) * ''

Murder with Pictures ''Murder with Pictures'' is a 1936 American crime-mystery film based on a story by George Harmon Coxe. The film was directed by Charles Barton, the screenplay was written by Jack Moffitt and Sidney Salkow. Lew Ayres starred as Kent Murdock, Gai ...

'' (1936) as Minor Role (uncredited) * '' The Big Broadcast of 1937'' (1936) as Telephone Girl * '' Rose Bowl'' (1936) as Mary Arnold (uncredited) * ''

The Accusing Finger ''The Accusing Finger'' is a 1936 American drama film directed by James P. Hogan and written by Madeleine Ruthven, Brian Marlow, John Bright and Robert Tasker. The film stars Paul Kelly, Marsha Hunt, Kent Taylor, Robert Cummings, Harry Care ...

'' (1936) as Wife * '' College Holiday'' (1936) as Dancer on Train (uncredited) * ''

Murder Goes to College ''Murder Goes to College'' is a 1937 American comedy film directed by Charles Reisner and written by Brian Marlow, Eddie Welch and Robert Wyler. The film stars Roscoe Karns, Marsha Hunt, Lynne Overman, Buster Crabbe, Astrid Allwyn and Harvey St ...

'' (1937) as Lil * ''

The Crime Nobody Saw ''The Crime Nobody Saw'' is a 1937 American comedy film directed by Charles Barton and written by Bertram Millhauser. The film stars Lew Ayres, Ruth Coleman, Eugene Pallette, Benny Baker, Vivienne Osborne, Colin Tapley and Howard Hickman. The ...

'' (1937) as Secretary (uncredited) * ''

Internes Can't Take Money ''Internes Can't Take Money'' is a 1937 American drama film directed by Alfred Santell and starring Barbara Stanwyck, Joel McCrea, Lloyd Nolan and Stanley Ridges. McCrea portrays Dr. Kildare in the character's first screen appearance. Metro-Goldwy ...

'' (1937) as Nurse (uncredited) * ''

Make Way for Tomorrow ''Make Way for Tomorrow'' is a 1937 American drama film directed by Leo McCarey. The plot concerns an elderly couple (played by Victor Moore and Beulah Bondi) who are forced to separate when they lose their house and none of their five children ...

'' (1937) as Usherette (uncredited) * '' Turn Off the Moon'' (1937) as Minor Role (uncredited) * '' Night of Mystery'' (1937) as Secretary * ''

Hotel Haywire ''Hotel Haywire'' is a 1937 American comedy film written by Preston Sturges with uncredited rewrites by Lillie Hayward. It was directed by George Archainbaud and stars Leo Carrillo, Lynne Overman, Spring Byington, Benny Baker and Colette Lyons ...

'' (1937) as Switchboard Operator (uncredited) * '' Mountain Music'' (1937) as Helen (uncredited) * '' This Way Please'' (1937) as Chorus Girl (uncredited) * '' The Buccaneer'' (1938) (uncredited) * '' Scandal Street'' (1938) (uncredited) * '' Dangerous to Know'' (1938) as Secretary * '' Cocoanut Grove'' (1938) as Radio Station Receptionist (uncredited) * '' You and Me'' (1938) as Cashier * '' Sing, You Sinners'' (1938) as Martha Randall * '' If I Were King'' (1938) as Huguette * '' The Lady's from Kentucky'' (1939) as Penelope 'Penny' Hollis * '' The Gracie Allen Murder Case'' (1939) as Ann Wilson * '' The Escape'' (1939) as Reporter (uncredited) * ''

Geronimo Geronimo ( apm, Goyaałé, , ; June 16, 1829 – February 17, 1909) was a prominent leader and medicine man from the Bedonkohe band of the Ndendahe Apache people. From 1850 to 1886, Geronimo joined with members of three other Central Apache b ...

'' (1939) as Alice Hamilton * '' French Without Tears'' (1940) as Diana Lake * '' Women Without Names'' (1940) as Joyce King * '' Buck Benny Rides Again'' (1940) as Joan Cameron * '' Christmas in July'' (1940) as Betty Casey * '' Texas Rangers Ride Again'' (1940) as Ellen 'Slats' Dangerfield * '' The Mad Doctor'' (1941) as Linda Boothe * '' The Monster and the Girl'' (1941) as Susan Webster * '' Reaching for the Sun'' (1941) as Rita * '' The Parson of Panamint'' (1941) as Mary Malloy * ''

Our Wife Our Wife may refer to: * Our Wife (1931 film) ''Our Wife'' is a 1931 American pre-Code Hal Roach comedy film starring Laurel and Hardy. It was directed by James W. Horne and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Plot Oliver is making plans to be ma ...

'' (1941) as Babe Marvin * '' The Night of January 16th'' (1941) as Kit Lane * '' The Remarkable Andrew'' (1942) as Peggy Tobin * '' My Favorite Spy'' (1942) as Teresa 'Terry' Kyser * '' Star Spangled Rhythm'' (1942) as Herself (uncredited) * ''

Ice-Capades Revue ''Ice-Capades Revue'' is a 1942 American comedy film directed by Bernard Vorhaus, and written by Bradford Ropes and Gertrude Purcell. The film stars Ellen Drew, Richard Denning, Jerry Colonna, Barbara Jo Allen, Harold Huber and Marilyn Hare. T ...

'' (1942) as Ann Porter * ''

'' (1943) as Ann Richards * '' The Impostor'' (1944) as Yvonne * '' And the Angels Sing'' (1944) (uncredited) * '' That's My Baby!'' (1944) as Betty Moody * ''

Dark Mountain Dark Mountain, formerly also known as Black Mountain, is a mountain in the Tanzilla Plateau of the Northern Interior of British Columbia, Canada, located northeast of the settlement of Dease Lake, near Cry Lake. Before 1937 Dark Mountain was k ...

'' (1944) as Kay Downey * '' China Sky'' (1945) as Louise Thompson * '' Isle of the Dead'' (1945) as Thea * '' Man Alive'' (1945) as Connie McBride * '' Sing While You Dance'' (1946) as Susan Kent * '' Crime Doctor's Manhunt'' (1946) as Irene Cotter * ''

'' (1947) as Nelle Marchettis * '' The Swordsman'' (1948) as Barbara Glowan * '' The Man from Colorado'' (1948) as Caroline Emmet * ''

'' (1949) as Nina Martin * ''

Davy Crockett, Indian Scout ''Davy Crockett, Indian Scout'' is a 1950 American Western film directed by Lew Landers and starring George Montgomery and Ellen Drew. Wartime hero Johnny McKee had a small role in the film, as did Jim Thorpe. The film was shot at the Motion ...

'' (1950) as Frances Oatman * '' The Baron of Arizona'' (1950) as Sofia de Peralta – Reavis 'The Baroness' * '' Stars in My Crown'' (1950) as Harriet Gray * ''

Cargo to Capetown ''Cargo to Capetown'' is a 1950 American crime film noir directed by Earl McEvoy and starring Broderick Crawford, Ellen Drew and John Ireland.Blottner p.30 The film reunited the stars of ''All the King's Men'', a major commercial and critical hit ...

'' (1950) as Kitty Mellar * ''

The Great Missouri Raid ''The Great Missouri Raid'' is a 1951 American Western film directed by Gordon Douglas and written by Frank Gruber. The film stars Wendell Corey, Macdonald Carey, Ellen Drew, Ward Bond, Bruce Bennett, Bill Williams and Anne Revere. The film ...

'' (1951) as Bee Moore * '' Man in the Saddle'' (1951) as Nan Melotte * '' Outlaw's Son'' (1957) as Ruth Sewall * ''

The Millionaire (TV series) ''The Millionaire'' is an American anthology series that aired on CBS from 1955 to 1960. It was originally sponsored by Colgate-Palmolive. The series, produced by Don Fedderson and Fred Henry, explored the ways that sudden and unexpected wealt ...

'' episode "The Julia Conrad Story" (1959) as Julia Conrad, with co-star Robert Alda

References

External links

*
Photographs and literature
{{DEFAULTSORT:Drew, Ellen 1914 births 2003 deaths Actresses from Kansas City, Missouri People from Palm Desert, California American film actresses American television actresses Paramount Pictures contract players 20th-century American actresses