Joan Bennett

Date of Birth: February 27, 1910

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: December 7, 1990

Biography

Joan Bennett was an esteemed American actress whose career spanned over five decades, from the silent film era to the television age. Born into a family deeply rooted in the performing arts, she was the daughter of stage actors Richard Bennett and Adrienne Morrison. Joan began her career in silent films during the 1920s but gained wider recognition with the advent of sound movies in the 1930s. Throughout her career, she showcased her versatility, appearing in a variety of genres including dramas, comedies, and films noir. Bennett is perhaps best known for her roles in films like “Scarlet Street” (1945) and “The Woman in the Window” (1944), both directed by Fritz Lang. In the 1960s, she transitioned to television, where she garnered new fans with her role as Elizabeth Collins Stoddard in the gothic soap opera “Dark Shadows.” Joan Bennett’s career was marked by resilience and adaptability, making her a beloved figure in both film and television.

5 Interesting Facts about Joan Bennett

1. Joan Bennett was initially trained to become an opera singer before she ventured into acting.

2. She was one of the first actresses to effectively transition from silent films to talkies.

3. Joan Bennett starred in five films directed by acclaimed filmmaker Fritz Lang.

4. She was involved in a highly publicized scandal in the 1950s when her husband, Walter Wanger, shot her agent.

5. Joan Bennett’s final film role was in the 1982 movie “Suspiria.”

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Joan Bennett

1. “I turned my hair dark and have received much better parts ever since.”

2. “I don’t think much about my career, or about the past. I think more about tomorrow.”

3. “It was a great honor to work with Fritz Lang.”

4. “I never thought of myself as a movie star. I’m just an actress.”

5. “My life has been a mixture of joy and sorrow, but the joy has always outweighed the sorrow.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of her career, Joan Bennett’s net worth was estimated to be around $5 million.

Children

Joan Bennett had four children: 1. Adrienne Ralston Fox (1934–1982) with her first husband, John Marion Fox. 2. Melinda Markey (born 1934) with her second husband, screenwriter Gene Markey. 3. Shelley Wanger (born 1948) with her third husband, producer Walter Wanger. 4. Stephanie Wanger (born 1949) with her third husband, producer Walter Wanger.