When it comes to Hollywood’s Golden Age, one name stands out: Jane Wyman. Her career spanned decades, during which she won an Academy Award and had a successful television run. To this day, her legacy still lives on and is remembered by generations of fans. Let’s take a closer look at this iconic star and the impact she had on Hollywood.
Jane Wyman was born Sarah Jane Mayfield on January 5, 1917, in St. Joseph, Missouri. She left school at the age of 15 to pursue a career in show business. After touring with a revue, Wyman moved to Hollywood and began her career in films. She quickly became one of the most popular stars of the time and appeared in more than 80 films during her career.
Wyman was often cast as the “good girl” in films, but she was also known for her versatility. She acted in comedies, dramas, and musicals, and often portrayed strong female characters. Her performances earned her praise from critics and fans alike.
Among Jane Wyman’s most notable achievement is her Academy Award win in 1948, for her performance in the film Johnny Belinda. She was the first actor to win an Oscar for a non-speaking role. Wyman also won three Golden Globe Awards for her work in television and films and was nominated for an Emmy Award for her performance in the series Falcon Crest.
A versatile performer, Jane Wyman appeared on comedies such as A Kiss in the Dark in 1948, The Lady Takes a Sailor in 1949, and Three Guys Named Mike in 1951, as well as a Hitchcock thriller, Stage Fright in 1950. She starred in musicals as well, including Here Comes the Groom and Starlift, both in 1951, Just for You in 1952, and Let’s Do It Again in 1953.
Jane Wyman’s romantic life was tumultuous and often heartbreaking. She had five marriages, each of which ended in divorce or death. She just turned 16 years old when she married her first husband, Ernest Wyman on April 8, 1933. On her marriage license, she listed her age as 19. The couple divorced two years later, but Jane Wyman kept her first husband’s last name which she used as her stage name throughout her career.
Wyman then Myron Futterman in 1937. Futterman was a haberdasher from Boston, Massachusetts. The two met at a dinner party and quickly fell in love. They married within a year of meeting, but the marriage was short-lived. After only three months, the couple separated, and Wyman moved to Hollywood to pursue her career as an actress.
Wyman subsequently went on to have a string of high-profile relationships, including with Ronald Reagan, whom she later married. Wyman and Ronald Reagan had been friends since 1937, when they met while filming the movie Brother Rat. Over time, their friendship blossomed into a romantic relationship, and the two were married in 1940. While Reagan was serving in World War II, Wyman focused on her acting career.
The couple had two children together, Maureen and Michael. However, the marriage began to unravel in 1948, and Wyman and Reagan divorced in 1949. Wyman later cited Reagan’s political ambitions as the primary cause of the divorce, although she later voted for him when he ran for president.
Jane Wyman met composer Fred Karger in 1950, and the two were married the same year. The couple had a daughter, Christina, in 1951. However, Karger was an alcoholic, and Wyman later said that this was one of the primary reasons for the divorce. She also said that Karger was abusive and that she had to leave him in order to protect herself and her children. Jane Wyman and Fred Karger divorced in 1952.
Wyman’s fourth and final marriage was to actor William Hopper in 1963. Hopper was best known for his role as Paul Drake in the television series Perry Mason. The couple had been friends for years, and Wyman said that Hopper was the first man she had ever truly loved. The couple stayed together for more than 20 years until Hopper’s death in 1984.
A Hollywood trailblazer, Jane Wyman left an indelible mark on Hollywood. Her career spanned decades and her influence is still felt today. Her films are still watched and enjoyed by generations of fans.