Date of Birth: December 20, 1898
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
Date of Death: September 4, 1990
Biography
Irene Dunne was an American actress and singer who gained fame and acclaim in the 1930s and 1940s. Born Irene Marie Dunn on December 20, 1898, in Louisville, Kentucky, she was the daughter of Joseph John Dunn, a steamboat inspector, and Adelaide Henry, a pianist and music teacher. After her father’s death when she was just 14, Irene moved with her family to Madison, Indiana. She pursued her passion for music at the Chicago Musical College and initially trained to become an opera singer. However, her career took a turn towards acting when she was cast in the Broadway musical “Irene” in the early 1920s. Dunne made her film debut in 1930 with “Leathernecking,” and her performance in the 1931 film “Cimarron” earned her the first of five Academy Award nominations. Known for her versatility, she excelled in both dramatic and comedic roles, starring in classics such as “The Awful Truth” (1937), “Love Affair” (1939), and “I Remember Mama” (1948). Dunne retired from acting in the 1950s but remained active in various philanthropic endeavors. She was awarded the Kennedy Center Honors in 1985 for her contribution to American culture through performing arts. Irene Dunne passed away on September 4, 1990, at the age of 91.
5 Interesting Facts about Irene Dunne
1. Irene Dunne was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress five times but never won.
2. She was a trained soprano and aimed to have a career in opera before turning to acting.
3. Dunne was a devout Roman Catholic and integrated her faith into her personal and professional life.
4. President Dwight D. Eisenhower appointed her as an alternate delegate to the United Nations in 1957.
5. She was awarded the Kennedy Center Honors in 1985, recognizing her lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Irene Dunne
1. “If you don’t have anything nice to say about someone, sit right here by me.”
2. “I drifted into acting and drifted out. Acting is not everything. Living is.”
3. “I never formally retired; I just made fewer movies.”
4. “Faith is the foundation and motivation of my life.”
5. “Laughter is a tonic. It’s like a vacation.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of her career, Irene Dunne’s net worth was estimated to be around $10 million.
Children
Irene Dunne and her husband, Dr. Francis Griffin, adopted a daughter named Mary Frances Griffin.
Relevant Links
1. [Irene Dunne on IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002050/
2. [Irene Dunne – Biography on Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Irene-Dunne
4. [Kennedy Center Honors: Irene Dunne](https://www.kennedy-center.org/artists/d/do-dz/irene-dunne/
