Doris Davenport

Doris Davenport, also known as Doris Jordan (January 1, 1917 – June 18, 1980) was an American film actress during the 1930s and early 1940s.

For the table tennis player, see Doris Jordan (table tennis).
For the poet, see doris davenport (poet).

Doris Davenport
Davenport in a still from the 1940 film The Westerner
Born(1917-01-17)January 17, 1917
Moline, Illinois, U.S.
DiedJune 18, 1980(1980-06-18) (aged 63)
Santa Cruz, California, U.S.
Other namesDoris Jordan (model)
Occupationactor, writer, poet
Years active1934-1940 (movies)
Notable work
The Westerner
Spouse(s)Garland Weaver (1938-1941) (divorced)[1]

Davenport was born in Moline, Illinois, but raised in Hollywood, California. She started auditioning for acting roles, and performed in her first film in 1934, titled Kid Millions.

From 1934 to 1939, she appeared in only five films, supporting herself by working in New York City as a fashion model between films. However, when she auditioned under the screen name Doris Jordan for the role of Scarlett O'Hara, the lead role in the now classic Gone with the Wind, she did well enough to become one of the finalists for the role, but lost out to actress Vivien Leigh.

Despite not winning that major role, Davenport impressed MGM executive Samuel Goldwyn. In 1940, he gave a lead role to Davenport in the film The Westerner, starring opposite Gary Cooper and Walter Brennan. That same year, she starred in the film Behind the News opposite Lloyd Nolan. It was her last role. With no other offers following that film, she soon retired from acting.

She eventually settled in Santa Cruz, California, where she lived until her death on June 18, 1980, age 63.

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1934Kid MillionsNora aka 'Toots'
1935George White's 1935 ScandalsChorineUncredited
1935The Girl FriendChorus Girl in PlayUncredited
1936Born to DanceChorus GirlUncredited
1937Thin IceMember of Girls BandUncredited
1939Sorority HouseNeva Simpson
1940The WesternerJane Ellen Mathews
1940Behind the NewsBarbara Shaw(final film role)

References
  1. "Rhinelander Daily News Archives, Jul 18, 1941, p. 6". newspaperarchive.com. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
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