Actress. She personified "The Girl Next-Door" in films of the 1940s. Wright won an Academy Award as Best Supporting Actress for "Mrs. Miniver" (1942), and received Oscar nominations for "The Little Foxes" (1941) and "The Pride of the Yankees" (1942). Her other classic credits include "Shadow of a Doubt" (1943), "The Best Years of Our Lives" (1946), and "The Men" (1950). Wright was born in New York City. Her performance in the ingenue role in Broadway's "Life with Father" (1939) led to her discovery by film producer Samuel Goldwyn, who signed her to a long-term contract. A sensitive and conscientious actress, she preferred to concentrate on her craft rather than Hollywood publicity, refusing to pose for "cheesecake" photos or make promotional appearances. This caused friction between Wright and Goldwyn, who eventually fired her in 1948 for being "difficult." "I'm just not the glamour type," she later declared. "I said I would have to make good on my acting ability, which was the only attribute I could offer." Married to writer Niven Busch from 1942 to 1952, Wright retired from the screen in 1959 after marrying playwright Robert Anderson. She later returned to the theatre and films in character parts. Her last movie roles were in "The Good Mother" (1988) and the 1997 adaptation of John Grisham's "The Rainmaker." Wright died of a heart attack at Yale-New Haven Hospital in Connecticut.
Actress. She personified "The Girl Next-Door" in films of the 1940s. Wright won an Academy Award as Best Supporting Actress for "Mrs. Miniver" (1942), and received Oscar nominations for "The Little Foxes" (1941) and "The Pride of the Yankees" (1942). Her other classic credits include "Shadow of a Doubt" (1943), "The Best Years of Our Lives" (1946), and "The Men" (1950). Wright was born in New York City. Her performance in the ingenue role in Broadway's "Life with Father" (1939) led to her discovery by film producer Samuel Goldwyn, who signed her to a long-term contract. A sensitive and conscientious actress, she preferred to concentrate on her craft rather than Hollywood publicity, refusing to pose for "cheesecake" photos or make promotional appearances. This caused friction between Wright and Goldwyn, who eventually fired her in 1948 for being "difficult." "I'm just not the glamour type," she later declared. "I said I would have to make good on my acting ability, which was the only attribute I could offer." Married to writer Niven Busch from 1942 to 1952, Wright retired from the screen in 1959 after marrying playwright Robert Anderson. She later returned to the theatre and films in character parts. Her last movie roles were in "The Good Mother" (1988) and the 1997 adaptation of John Grisham's "The Rainmaker." Wright died of a heart attack at Yale-New Haven Hospital in Connecticut.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
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