Frances Farmer

Date of Birth: September 19, 1913

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Date of Death: August 1, 1970

Biography

Frances Elena Farmer was an American actress and television hostess whose tumultuous life and career have made her a figure of cultural and historical significance. Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, Farmer was known for her rebellious spirit and for challenging the norms of Hollywood and society at large. She began her career on stage and quickly rose to prominence in the 1930s with her performances in such films as “Come and Get It” (1936) and “Rhythm on the Range” (1936). Farmer’s career and life took a dramatic turn in the 1940s when she was subjected to a series of highly publicized arrests and institutionalizations. Her struggles with mental health and her reported mistreatment in psychiatric hospitals have been extensively documented and dramatized. Despite these challenges, Farmer made a remarkable comeback in the 1950s, performing in theater and on television. Farmer’s legacy is one of talent, resilience, and tragedy, and her life story continues to be a source of fascination and inspiration.

5 Interesting Facts about Frances Farmer

1. Frances Farmer was awarded a contract with Paramount Pictures after winning a national high school essay contest.

2. Her rebellious nature was evident from a young age, famously writing an essay titled “God Dies” in high school.

3. Frances Farmer was known for her striking beauty and intense acting style, which set her apart from her contemporaries.

4. Her life story was the basis for the 1982 biographical film “Frances,” starring Jessica Lange.

5. Farmer was subjected to controversial and purportedly brutal treatment during her time in psychiatric institutions, including electroconvulsive therapy and lobotomy.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Frances Farmer

1. “I have learned that to have a good friend is the purest of all God’s gifts, for it is a love that has no exchange of payment.”

2. “There comes a point when a dream becomes reality and reality becomes a dream.”

3. “If a person is treated like a patient, they are apt to act like one.”

4. “I didn’t think then, and I still don’t, that a career is any excuse for bad manners.”

5. “The beauty of a person is not the way he or she looks, but the way they care for others.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of her career in the late 1930s, Frances Farmer’s net worth was estimated to be around $1 million (equivalent to approximately $18 million today).