Jane Forth

Jane Forth (born March 4, 1953) is an American actress, model, and make-up artist. She is best known for having been a Warhol superstar, starring in the films '' Trash'' (1970) and '' L'Amour'' (1972). She was also one of “Antonio’s Girls”, a muse of fashion illustrator Antonio Lopez.''Jane Forth,'' ongoing exhibit. The Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh.

Life and career

Early life

In 1968, Forth and her family left St. Claire Shores, Michigan, to go to New York. She lived with her mother, Rhea Forth, a data control analyst, in an apartment at Kips Bay Plaza. Her parents were separated and her father was an executive with Renault, Inc., in New York. She had three siblings, Diane, Robert, and Beverly.

Forth briefly enrolled at a public junior high school before attending Quintano's School for Young Professionals, but she dropped out at the age of 15 to go to work as a salesgirl.

Warhol years and modeling career

Forth initially met pop artist and filmmaker Andy Warhol at his home through her first boyfriend, Jay Johnson—twin brother of Warhol’s longtime partner, Jed Johnson. She became a receptionist at Warhol's Factory in 1969.Jane Forth, Teenage Model & Warhol Superstar
AgnautaCouture, Retrieved 3 May 2016 Taken with her striking appearance, Warhol invited Forth to appear in '' Trash'' (1970) with Joe Dallesandro and Holly Woodlawn. Despite her youth, Forth shined in the production and became Warhol's breakthrough star. Warhol called her "the most exciting thing to come his way since Viva!"

Forth's unique look—involving shaved eyebrows, Wesson-oiled hair, pale skin, red cheeks, and bold lips—was proclaimed the “New Now Face” in 1970. Her look was inspired by classic Hollywood heroines, such as Myrna Loy and Claudette Colbert, she styled herself in thrifted clothing from the 1930s and ‘40s. Despite the praise she received for her look, Forth had a difficult time signing to a modeling agency due to her short stature.

While operating the Green Branch Antique Store on First Avenue, Forth was rapidly launched into the worlds of fashion and film. She became a protégé of fashion editor Diana Vreeland, who helped promote her. Forth posed for Antonio Lopez’s fashion illustrations in the ''New York Times,'' Diane von Furstenberg, and was photographed for ''Vogue'' and ''Harper’s Bazaar.''

Forth was 16 years old when Jack Mitchell photographed her for a nude four-page photo spread for the April 1970 cover of '' After Dark'' magazine. In the article, Forth revealed that she was called to read for a part in the film '' The Telephone Book'' (1971).

Forth appeared on ''The'' ''Dick Cavett Show'' alongside boxer Sugar Ray Robinson and psychiatrist Thomas S. Szasz in May 1970.

Forth was featured in a fashion layout in the July 1970 edition of ''Life'' magazine. The youth and arrogance of then-teenaged Forth shows through her 1970 statement to ''Life'': "When I’m home I’m yelling at my mother to iron my clothes, and when I’m out, I’m standing around yawning at all these fancy people." She declared in the same interview that she bought dime-store make up and each of her “dress-up" faces only cost twenty-five cents, with her thrifted vintage dresses averaging a price of $12.50.

Forth appeared in the Factory film ''Women In Revolt'' (1971) and she had a leading role in Warhol's next production, '' L'Amour'' (1972), alongside Warhol superstar Donna Jordan. ''L'Amour'' was filmed in Paris in the fall of 1970.

In February 1971, Forth accompanied Warhol to Europe to attend the opening of his retrospective at the Tate Gallery. They then embarked on a one-week promotional tour of Germany for the film ''Trash''.

After Forth became pregnant in 1971, she retired from acting and modeling.

Later years

In the late 1970s, Forth embarked on a career as a make-up artist. She taught herself, attended night classes, and joined the union. She was hired to do the make-up of people photographed by Warhol for their silkscreen portrait at the Factory, including singer Neil Sedaka and fashion designer Gianni Versace. She also worked in makeup and special effects in the film industry. After becoming pregnant again in her thirties, she relocated to Los Angeles and made the decision to give up her work in beauty and become a stay-at-home mother.

Personal life

Forth had a son with fellow Warhol superstar Eric Emerson in 1971. While raising her son as a single mother, she eventually met cinematographer Oliver Wood. They were married for 22 years and had two daughters.

Filmography

References

External links

*

{{DEFAULTSORT:Forth, Jane
1953 births
American female models
20th-century American actresses
American film actresses
Living people
People associated with The Factory
Date of birth missing (living people)
American make-up artists
People from St. Clair Shores, Michigan