Joan crawford last photo

1. Joan Crawford: The Rise of a Hollywood Legend
2. Early Life and Career
3. Discovery by MGM
4. The MGM Years
5. The Romance and Legacy
6. The Shift to Warner Bros.
7. Later Years and Legacy
8. The Legacy Lives On

Joan Crawford: The Rise of a Hollywood Legend

Joan Crawford, alongside Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich, was one of the first stars of Hollywood. She began her career during the era of silent films and seamlessly transitioned into talkies, becoming one of the most successful actresses of the 1930s and 1940s. What was the secret to her success?

Early Life and Career

Joan Crawford, born Lucille LeSueur, was born on March 23, 1908, in San Antonio, Texas. Her parents divorced before she was born, and she was raised by her mother and attended St. Agnes Academy. She briefly attended Stephens College but left to pursue her dream of becoming a dancer. Finding it difficult to fulfill her dream, she worked in various places and eventually turned to erotic dancing. Though biographers tend to gloss over this period of Crawford's life, it was an important stepping stone in her career.

Discovery by MGM

In 1923, Crawford won an entertainment contest and began performing in nightclubs across America. During one of her performances, fate brought her to Hollywood. She met Louis B. Mayer, the head of MGM, and immediately signed a contract. Within a year, she gained a reputation as the "It Girl" of the city.

The MGM Years

Crawford was known for her courage and determination. She quickly adopted the name Joan Crawford and learned to navigate the rules of Hollywood. In 1925, she made her debut in "Pretty Ladies" and soon after starred in the film "Old Clothes" (1925). Her performance in this film solidified her success. It is said that after the successful premiere, she stormed into Louis B. Mayer's office and demanded a proper house. Mayer promptly wrote her a check for $18,000 to purchase any house she desired.

The Romance and Legacy

Crawford's personal life was filled with love and heartbreak. Her first husband was actor Phillip Terry, and after their divorce, she married Douglas Fairbanks Jr., a war hero, producer, and actor. However, it was her romance with Clark Gable that would define her life. They first met on the set of "Possessed" (1931), and Gable captivated Crawford. They remained intertwined in a passionate, yet unofficial, relationship until Gable's death in 1960.

The Shift to Warner Bros.

With the advent of sound in film, Crawford's career only blossomed further. Her strong and expressive voice captivated audiences, and she continued to star in successful films such as "Grand Hotel" (1932), "Dancing Lady" (1933), and "The Women" (1939). However, in the 1940s, as new actresses emerged at MGM, Crawford found herself with fewer opportunities. Frustrated, she made the decision to leave MGM and signed with Warner Bros. This move revitalized her career and led to her winning an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in "Mildred Pierce" (1945).

Later Years and Legacy

In the 1950s, Crawford's film appearances decreased, and by the 1960s, she all but retired from the screen. Her final notable role was in the critically acclaimed film "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?" (1962), where she starred alongside Bette Davis. After a television film, "Trog" (1970), Crawford officially retired from the film industry.

Crawford was married twice more after her divorce from Fairbanks, but neither marriage lasted long. In the early 1970s, she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, which she courageously battled for several years. She passed away from a heart attack on May 10, 1977. Crawford did not have any biological children, but she adopted four children.

The Legacy Lives On

Two years after her death, her daughter Christina Crawford published a memoir titled "Mommie Dearest," which became a bestseller. The book portrayed Joan Crawford in a negative light and revealed many intriguing details about the legendary star's personal life. Regardless of her reputation as a mother, Joan Crawford will forever be remembered as an exceptional actress, and her name is firmly engraved in the history of cinema.