Carole Mathews (born Jean Deifel, also credited as Jeanne Francis; September 13, 1920 – November 6, 2014) was an American film and television actress.

Early years

Born in Montgomery, Illinois, near Chicago, Mathews lived with her grandmother after her parents divorced. She attended elementary schools in Aurora, Illinois, and obtained her secondary education at Calumet High School in Chicago. After graduation from high school, she entered a

nunnery A convent is a community of monks, nuns, religious brothers or, sisters or priests. Alternatively, ''convent'' means the building used by the community. The word is particularly used in the Catholic Church, Lutheran churches, and the Anglican C ...

in Milwaukee. Her grandmother made her leave it, however, telling her to wait until she was 21. In 1938, Matthews was named "Miss Chicago" and, in doing so, qualified for a trip to California and a screen test. While in California, she auditioned for the Earl Carroll Follies and won a role in the show for 1939. Matthews attended the Chicago Conservatory of Music and Drama, where she studied ballet, voice, and drama. She also hosted a WGN radio program, ''Breakfast Time with Carole Mathews.'' Soon she was engaged in modeling.

Film

In 1939, Mathews had some bit parts in films, using the name Jeanne Francis.

Stage

Mathews appeared on Broadway as Karen Jackson in ''With a Silk Thread'' (1950).

Filmography

*'' Tender Is the Night'' (1962) – Mrs. Hoyt *'' Look In Any Window ''(1961) – Betty Lowell *''

13 Fighting Men ''13 Fighting Men'' is a 1960 American drama film directed by Harry W. Gerstad and written by Robert Hamner and Jack W. Thomas. The film stars Grant Williams (actor), Grant Williams, Brad Dexter, Carole Mathews, Robert Dix, Richard Garland and Ri ...

'' (1960) – Carole Prescott *'' Showdown at Boot Hill'' (1958) – Jill Crane *''

Million Dollar Manhunt ''Assignment Redhead'' (released in the US as ''Million Dollar Manhunt'') is a 1956 British crime thriller film written and directed by Maclean Rogers. It is based on the novel ''Requiem for a Redhead'' by Lindsay Hardy. The UK title of this film ...

'' (1957) – Hedy Bergner *'' Swamp Women'' (1956) – Lt. Lee Hampton *'' Betrayed Women'' (1955) – Kate Morrison *'' Treasure of Ruby Hills'' (1955) – Sherry Vernon *'' Port of Hell'' (1954) – Julie Povich *'' City of Bad Men'' (1953) – Cynthia Castle *'' Shark River'' (1953) – Jane Daugherty *''

Meet Me at the Fair ''Meet Me at the Fair'' is a 1953 American musical film directed by Douglas Sirk and starring Dan Dailey, Diana Lynn and Hugh O'Brian. Produced and distributed by Universal Pictures, it was shot in technicolor. Synopsis A boy named Tad flees from ...

'' (1952) – Clara rink*'' Red Snow'' (1952) – Lieut. Jane *'' The Man with My Face'' (1951) – Mary Davies *'' No Man of Her Own'' (1950) – Blonde *''

Cry Murder ''Cry Murder'' is a 1950 American crime film directed by Jack Glenn and written by James Carhardt and Nicholas Winter. The film stars Carole Mathews, Jack Lord, Howard Smith, Hope Miller, Tom Pedi and Eugene Smith. The film was released on Janu ...

'' (1950) – Norma Wayne Alden *'' Paid in Full'' (1950) – Model *''

The Accused Accused or The Accused may refer to: * A person suspected with committing a crime or offence; see Criminal charge ** Suspect, a known person suspected of committing a crime * The Accüsed, a 1980s Seattle crossover thrash band *''The Accused'', a ...

'' (1949) – Waitress *'' The Great Gatsby'' (1949) – Ella Cody *'' Special Agent'' (1949) – Rose McCreary *'' Massacre River'' (1949) – Laura Jordon *'' Chicago Deadline'' (1949) – Secretary *'' Amazon Quest'' (1949) – Teresa *'' Sealed Verdict'' (1948) – Nurse, outspoken WAC *'' Ten Cents a Dance'' (1945) – Marge *'' Sing Me a Song of Texas'' (1945) – Hilda Cartwright *'' A Thousand and One Nights'' (1945) – Handmaiden *''

Blazing the Western Trail ''Blazing the Western Trail'' is a 1945 American Western film directed by Vernon Keays and written by J. Benton Cheney. The film stars Charles Starrett, Tex Harding, Dub Taylor, Carole Mathews and Bob Wills. The film was released on September 1 ...

'' (1945) – Mary Halliday *'' Outlaws of the Rockies'' (1945) – Jane Stuart *''

I Love a Mystery ''I Love a Mystery'' is an American radio drama series that aired 1939–44, about three friends who ran a detective agency and traveled the world in search of adventure. Written by Carlton E. Morse, the program was the polar opposite of Morse's ...

'' (1945) – Jean Anderson *'' Over 21'' (1945) – Officer candidate's wife *'' The Monster and the Ape'' (1945) – Babs Arnold *'' Tahiti Nights'' (1944) – Betty Lou *''

She's a Sweetheart ''She's a Sweetheart'' is a 1944 American musical film directed by Del Lord and starring Jane Frazee. Plot A woman known to all simply as "Mom" runs a canteen where soldiers in particular are welcome. Maxine is a singer at the club and has sto ...

'' (1944) – Frances *''

Swing in the Saddle ''Swing in the Saddle'' is a 1944 American Western musical comedy film directed by Lew Landers and starring Jane Frazee. Cast * Jane Frazee as Penny Morrow * Guinn Williams as "Tiny" Baldwin * Slim Summerville as Northup "Slim" Bayliss * Sall ...

'' (1944) – Doreen Nesbitt *''

Girl in the Case Girl in the Case may refer to: * ''Girl in the Case'' (1934 film), American comedy * ''Girl in the Case'' (1944 film), American mystery-comedy {{disambiguation ...

'' (1944) – Sylvia Manners *'' The Missing Juror'' (1944) – Marcy *'' Strange Affair'' (1944) – Gloria *'' Together Again'' (1944) – Girl *'' Dancing in Manhattan'' (1944) – Saleslady Source

Later years

Death

Mathews, at age 94, died on November 6, 2014.

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Mathews, Carole 1920 births 2014 deaths People from Montgomery, Illinois American film actresses American television actresses Actresses from Chicago People from Reseda, Los Angeles Businesspeople from California 20th-century American businesspeople 20th-century American businesswomen 21st-century American women