Claire Carleton (September 28, 1913 – December 11, 1979) was an American actress whose career spanned four decades from the 1930s through the 1960s. She appeared in over 100 films, the majority of them features, and on numerous television shows, including several recurring roles. In addition to her screen acting, she had a successful stage career.

Early life

Carleton was born in New York City. She began acting on the stage, eventually making it to Broadway, where she made her debut as Lucy in the short-lived play, ''Blue Monday'' in June, 1932.

Career

Although she made her film debut in a small role in a 1933

film short A short film is a film with a low running time. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) defines a short film as "an original motion picture that has a running time of not more than 40 minutes including all credits". Other film o ...

, ''Seasoned Greetings'', and continued to occasionally make shorts for the remainder of the decade, she concentrated on her stage career during the 1930s. She made her first appearance in a feature film in 1940's '' Millionaire Playboy'', starring Joe Penner, Linda Hayes, and Russ Brown. During her film career she was often cast as the "other woman", or in a sexually promiscuous role. Her career ran the gamut of roles, from small, uncredited, unnamed roles, such as a nightclub patron in the 1949 musical, '' On the Town'', to small supporting roles such as Vicki Vale in 1948's '' If You Knew Susie'', to small featured roles such as Miss Francis in the classic drama ''

Death of a Salesman ''Death of a Salesman'' is a 1949 stage play written by the American playwright Arthur Miller. The play premiered on Broadway in February 1949, running for 742 performances. It is a two-act tragedy set in late 1940s Brooklyn told through a ...

'' (1951), and leading roles such as in '' Girl from Havana'' (1940), in which "Havana" was her character's name, and ''

Gildersleeve on Broadway ''Gildersleeve on Broadway'' is a 1943 American comedy film starring Harold Peary as his radio character The Great Gildersleeve. It is the third of four Gildersleeve features, others were '' The Great Gildersleeve'' (1942), '' Gildersleeve's B ...

'' (1943), where she played Francine Gray. She had featured supporting roles in numerous films, among the most notable being: the lead of Kay Stevens in the 1941 Western mystery ''The Great Train Robbery''; as Ruby LaRue in '' A Night of Adventure'' (1944), starring

Tom Conway Tom Conway (born Thomas Charles Sanders; 15 September 1904 – 22 April 1967) was a British film, television, and radio actor. He is remembered for playing suave adventurer The Falcon in a series of 1940s films; and his appearances in three h ...

; as Belle Townley in the 1946 western, ''Gun Town'', starring Kirby Grant; in one of ''

The Shadow The Shadow is a fictional character created by American magazine publishers Street & Smith and writer Walter B. Gibson. Originally created to be a mysterious radio show narrator and developed into a distinct literary character in 1931 by Gibs ...

'' films, '' The Missing Lady'' (1946), in the role of Rose Dawson; and Grace in 1949's ''

It's a Great Feeling ''It's a Great Feeling'' is a 1949 American Technicolor musical comedy film starring Doris Day, Jack Carson and Dennis Morgan in a parody of what goes on behind the scenes in Hollywood movie making. The screenplay by Jack Rose and Mel Sh ...

'', starring

Doris Day Doris Day (born Doris Mary Kappelhoff; April 3, 1922 – May 13, 2019) was an American actress and singer. She began her career as a big band singer in 1937, achieving commercial success in 1945 with two No. 1 recordings, "Sentimental Journey ...

Jack Carson John Elmer Carson (October 27, 1910 – January 2, 1963), known as Jack Carson, was a Canadian-born American film actor. Carson often played the role of comedic friend in films of the 1940s and 1950s, including '' The Strawberry Blonde'' ...

, and Dennis Morgan. During the mid-1940s she also starred in a series of two-reelers with

Leon Errol Leon Errol (born Leonce Errol Sims, July 3, 1881 – October 12, 1951) was an Australian-American comedian and actor in the United States, popular in the first half of the 20th century for his appearances in vaudeville, on Broadway, and in film ...

, such as 1946's ''Poppa Knows Worst''. ClaireCarleton

Other notable films in which she appeared include: '' Rookies in Burma'' (1943), starring the comedy duo of

Wally Brown Wallace Edgar Brown (October 8, 1904 – November 13, 1961) was an American actor and comedian. In the 1940s, he performed as the comic partner of Alan Carney. Early years Wallace Edgar Brown was born in Malden, Massachusetts, the son of Her ...

and

Alan Carney Alan Carney (born David John Boughal; December 22, 1909 – May 2, 1973) was an American actor and comedian. Early life and career Born David John Boughal in Manhattan on December 22, 1909,"New York, New York City, World War II Draft Registrat ...

, in which she had the featured role of Connie; the 1944 musical ''

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'', starring

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and

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; the 1947 comedy '' The Senator Was Indiscreet'', starring

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; in

George Cukor George Dewey Cukor ( ; July 7, 1899 – January 24, 1983) was an American film director and film producer, producer. He mainly concentrated on comedies and literary adaptations. His career flourished at RKO Pictures, RKO when David O. Selzn ...

's '' A Double Life'' (1947), starring

Ronald Colman Ronald Charles Colman (9 February 1891 – 19 May 1958) was an English-born actor who started his career in theatre and silent film in his native country, then emigrated to the United States where he had a highly successful Cinema of the United ...

; the

Fred Astaire Fred Astaire (born Frederick Austerlitz, May 10, 1899 – June 22, 1987) was an American dancer, actor, singer, musician, choreographer, and presenter, whose career in stage, film, and television spanned 76 years. He is widely regarded as the "g ...

and

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musical, ''

The Barkleys of Broadway ''The Barkleys of Broadway'' is a 1949 American Technicolor musical comedy film from the Arthur Freed unit at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer that reunited Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers after ten years apart. Directed by Charles Walters, the screenplay is ...

'' (1949); in another Cukor film, '' Born Yesterday'', starring

Judy Holliday Judy Holliday (born Judith Tuvim, June 21, 1921 – June 7, 1965) was an American actress, comedian, and singer.Obituary ''Variety Obituaries, Variety'', June 9, 1965, p. 71. She began her career as part of a nightclub act before working in Bro ...

(in an Oscar-winning performance),

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, and

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; the 1954 suspense drama, '' Witness to Murder'', starring

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, and

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; and the biopic, '' The Buster Keaton Story'' (1957), starring

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Ann Blyth Ann Blyth (born Anne Marie Blythe; August 16, 1928) is an American retired actress and singer. She began her career in radio as a child before transitioning to Broadway, where she appeared in Lillian Hellman, Lillian Hellman’s ''Watch on the R ...

, and Rhonda Fleming. With the advent of television, Carleton transitioned to the small screen in the 1950s, and by the 1960s, she worked almost solely in that medium. Her final big-screen appearance was in 1961's ''The Devil's Partner'', in the featured role of Ida. Carleton's television debut was on the

DuMont Television Network The DuMont Television Network (also the DuMont Network, DuMont Television, DuMont/Du Mont, or (incorrectly) Dumont ) was one of America's pioneer commercial television networks, rivaling NBC and CBS for the distinction of being first overall in ...

's crime drama series '' Front Page Detective'' in 1951, in which she had a starring guest appearance in the episode titled, "Frame for Murder". In 1954–5, she co-starred as Nell Mulligan,

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's mother, on '' The Mickey Rooney Show'', though she was only seven years older than Rooney. She had other recurring roles on television, including that of Alice Purdy on '' Cimarron City'', which starred George Montgomery. She appeared as a guest on dozens of other television shows, including ''

Hopalong Cassidy Hopalong Cassidy is a fictional cowboy hero created in 1904 by the author Clarence E. Mulford, who wrote a series of short stories and novels based on the character. Mulford portrayed the character as rude, dangerous, and rough-talking. He wa ...

'' (1952), ''

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'' (1953), '' Mr. & Mrs. North'' (1953), ''

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'' (1954), '' Treasury Men in Action'' (1954–5), '' Studio 57'', '' The Millionaire'' (1955–6), ''

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'' (1956), ''

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'', several appearances on '' Schlitz Playhouse'', '' Maverick'' (1958) with

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in the episode " The Lonesome Reunion", ''

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'' (1959) with

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, several appearances on '' M Squad'' (1959) with

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, ''

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'' (1959), '' Make Room for Daddy'' (later known as ''The Danny Thomas Show'' - 1958 & 1960), several appearances on ''

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'' from 1956 to 1961, ''

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'' (1962) with Efrem Zimbalist Jr., ''

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'' (1962–63) with

Shirley Booth Shirley Booth (born Marjory Ford; August 30, 1898October 16, 1992) was an American actress. One of 24 performers to achieve the Triple Crown of Acting, Booth was the recipient of an Academy Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards and three Tony Awards. ...

, several performances from 1960 to 1965 on ''

Wagon Train ''Wagon Train'' is an American Western television series that aired for eight seasons, first on the NBC television network (1957–1962) and then on ABC (1962–1965). ''Wagon Train'' debuted on September 18, 1957, and reached the top of the ...

'', and ''

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'' (1964). Her final acting performance was in a small role as a store clerk during the eighth season of the television series '' The Virginian'' in 1969.

Personal life

Carleton married Fred E. Sherman, to whom she remained married until his death in 1969. She died from cancer on December 11, 1979, aged 66, in Northridge, Los Angeles, California, and was interred next to her husband at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills, California. Carleton was a Democrat who supported

Adlai Stevenson Adlai Stevenson may refer to: * Adlai Stevenson I Adlai Ewing Stevenson (October 23, 1835 – June 14, 1914) was an American politician and diplomat who served as the 23rd vice president of the United States from 1893 to 1897 under President Gr ...

's campaign during the 1952 presidential election.''Motion Picture and Television Magazine'', November 1952, page 33, Ideal Publishers

Filmography

(Per AFI database) * '' Melody and Moonlight'' (1940) as Gloria * '' The Crooked Road'' (1940) as Virgie Gobel * '' Girl from Havana'' (1940) as Havana * ''

Grand Ole Opry The ''Grand Ole Opry'' is a regular live country music, country-music Radio broadcasting, radio broadcast originating from Nashville, Tennessee, Nashville, Tennessee, on WSM (AM), WSM, held between two and five nights per week, depending on the ...

'' (1940) as Ginger Gordon * '' Sing, Dance, Plenty Hot'' (1940) as Evelyn * '' The Great Train Robbery'' (1941) as Kay Stevens * '' Petticoat Politics'' (1941) as Tilly * ''

'' (1943) as Francine Gray * ''

Lady of Burlesque ''Lady of Burlesque'' (also known as ''The G-String Murders'' and in the UK, ''Striptease Lady'') is a 1943 American musical comedy mystery film directed by William A. Wellman, produced by Hunt Stromberg, and starring Barbara Stanwyck and Mi ...

'' (1943) as Sandra * '' Rookies in Burma'' (1943) as Connie - the Blonde * '' The Adventures of a Rookie'' (1943) as First Nurse (uncredited) * '' Around the World'' (1943) as WAAC Lieutenant Spencer (uncredited) * '' My Pal Wolf'' (1944) as Ruby, the Cook * '' A Night of Adventure'' (1944) as Ruby LaRue * ''

'' (1944) as Nurse (uncredited) * ''

Youth Runs Wild ''Youth Runs Wild'' is a 1944 B movie directed by Mark Robson and starring Bonita Granville, Kent Smith, Jean Brooks, Glen Vernon and Vanessa Brown. The plot concerns inattentive parents and juvenile delinquency. The film was produced by ...

'' (1944) as Taxi Driver (uncredited) * ''

Bride by Mistake ''Bride by Mistake'' is a 1944 American romantic comedy film directed by Richard Wallace, and starring Alan Marshal and Laraine Day. The screenplay is by Phoebe Ephron and Henry Ephron, based on a story by Norman Krasna, and is a remake of ...

'' (1944) as Nurse Harrison (uncredited) * '' Frontier Gal'' (1945) as Gracie (uncredited) * '' A Close Call for Boston Blackie'' (1946) as Mamie Kirwin (uncredited) * '' Crime Doctor's Man Hunt'' (1946) as Ruby Farrell * '' Gun Town'' (1946) as Belle Townley * '' The Missing Lady'' (1946) as Rose Dawson * '' That Texas Jamboree'' (1946) as Lulubelle (uncredited) * '' Vacation in Reno'' (1946) as Sally Beaver * '' Key Witness'' (1947) as Receptionist (uncredited) * '' Linda, Be Good'' (1947) as Myrtle * '' Too Many Winners'' (1947) as Mayme Martin * '' The Senator Was Indiscreet'' (1947) as Ingred * ''

Bodyguard A bodyguard (or close protection officer/operative) is a type of security guard, government law enforcement officer, or servicemember who protects an very important person, important person or group of people, such as high-ranking public offic ...

'' (1948) * '' A Double Life'' (1948) * '' I Love Trouble'' (1948) as Irene Feston - Tired Blonde (uncredited) * '' If You Knew Susie'' (1948) as Steve's Lady Friend (uncredited) * '' Ruthless'' (1948) as Bella * '' The Time of Your Life'' (1948) as 'Killer' * '' Bad Men of Tombstone'' (1949) as Nellie * ''

'' (1949) as Marie (uncredited) * '' The Crime Doctor's Diary'' (1949) as Louise (uncredited) * ''

'' (1949) as Grace * '' On the Town'' (1949) as Nightclub Patron (uncredited) * '' The Reckless Moment'' (1949) as Blond (uncredited) * '' Red Light'' (1949) as Waitress (uncredited) * '' Satan's Cradle'' (1949) as Belle * '' Shockproof'' (1949) as Florrie Kobiski (uncredited) * '' Born Yesterday'' (1951) as Helen * '' Honeychile'' (1951) as Betty Loring * '' The Son of Dr. Jekyll'' (1951) as Hazel Sorelle (uncredited) * '' Two of a Kind'' (1951) as Minnie Mitt (uncredited) * '' Westward the Women'' (1951) as Flashy Woman (uncredited) * ''

'' (1952) as Miss Francis * '' Bal Tabarin'' (1952) as Stella Simmons * ''

The Fighter ''The Fighter'' is a 2010 American Biographical film, biographical sports drama film directed by David O. Russell, and stars Mark Wahlberg (who also produced), Christian Bale, Amy Adams, and Melissa Leo. The film centers on the lives of profes ...

'' (1952) as Stella * '' Ride the Man Down'' (1952) as Amelia * ''

Jubilee Trail ''Jubilee Trail'' is an American novel written by Gwen Bristow, published in 1950. It follows the adventures of two strong women in the mid-19th century as they travel across the United States to the then-Mexico, Mexican territory of California. ...

'' (1954) as Estelle the Madam (uncredited) * '' Witness to Murder'' (1954) as May - Mental Patient * '' Love Me or Leave Me'' (1955) as Claire (uncredited) * ''

Accused of Murder ''Accused of Murder'' is a 1956 American film noir crime film directed by Joseph Kane and starring David Brian, Vera Ralston and Sidney Blackmer. Plot Nightclub singer Ilona Vance is accused of murder because she was the last person to see croo ...

'' (1956) as Marge Harris * '' The Black Sleep'' (1956) as Carmona Daly * ''

Slander Defamation is a communication that injures a third party's reputation and causes a legally redressable injury. The precise legal definition of defamation varies from country to country. It is not necessarily restricted to making wikt:asserti ...

'' (1957) as Elsie (uncredited) * '' The Buster Keaton Story'' (1957) as Myra Keaton * '' The Careless Years'' (1957) as Aunt Martha (uncredited) * '' Death in Small Doses'' (1957) as Mabel (uncredited) * '' My Gun Is Quick'' (1957) as Proprietess * ''

Reform School Girl ''Reform School Girl'' is a 1957 American drama film starring Gloria Castillo as a teenage girl who is sent to a reformatory. The film was directed by Edward Bernds and was produced by Samuel Z. Arkoff. ''Reform School Girl'' was one of many s ...

'' (1957) as Mrs. Rita Horvath * '' Unwed Mother'' (1958) as Mrs. Miller * '' Fort Massacre'' (1958) as Adele * '' A Lust to Kill'' (1958) as Minny * '' The Miracle of the Hills'' (1959) as Sally * '' Devil's Partner'' (shot in 1958, released in 1961) as Ida

Selected Television Appearances

* ''

'' (1956) (Season 1 Episode 20: "And So Died Riabouchinska") as Alice Fabian * ''

'' (1958) (Season 4 Episode 3: "The Jokester") as Millie * ''

'' (1961) (Season 6 Episode 30: "You Can Trust a Man") as Pauline * ''

'' (1964) (Season 1 Episode 2: "Love at First Sight") as Mrs. Gribbins * ''

The Three Stooges The Three Stooges were an American vaudeville and comedy team active from 1922 until 1970, best remembered for their 190 short-subject films by Columbia Pictures. Their hallmark styles were physical, farce, and slapstick comedy. Six total ...

(1947) (Season 4 Episode 1 "Fright Night") as Kitty

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Carleton, Claire 1913 births 1979 deaths 20th-century American actresses American stage actresses Actresses from New York City American television actresses Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills) New York (state) Democrats California Democrats