Jean Wallace

Jean Wallace (born Jean Walasek or Wallasek;[1] October 12, 1923 – February 14, 1990) was an American television and film actress.

Jean Wallace
Jean Wallace in The Big Combo
Born
Jean Walasek

(1923-10-12)October 12, 1923
Chicago, Illinois
DiedFebruary 14, 1990(1990-02-14) (aged 66)
Los Angeles, California
OccupationActress
Years active1941–1970
Spouse(s)
​
​
(m. 1941; div. 1948)​

Jim Lloyd Randall
​
​
(m. 1950; annul. 1950)​

​
​
(m. 1951; div. 1981)​
Children3

Early years

Wallace was born in Chicago to John T. Walaszek and Mary A. Walaszek (née Sharkey). Her grandfather Karol Walaszek, immigrated from Galicia. She was Polish-American.[2]

Wallace was a graduate of Austin High School in Chicago.[3] In 1940, the family moved to Hollywood.[4]

Career

Wallace began her career as a model. She made her screen debut when she was 17. Her first film, in which she had a bit part, was Louisiana Purchase (1941).[5]

By the time she was 18, she had worked as a dancer and singer, including being a showgirl employed by Earl Carroll.[3]

Personal life

Wallace married her Jigsaw co-star Franchot Tone on October 18, 1941, in Yuma, Arizona.[3] They divorced in 1948.[6] They had two sons, Pascal "Pat" Franchot Tone born July 29, 1943 and Thomas Jefferson Tone born September 16, 1945. Tone was awarded custody of their sons after their divorce.[7]

Wallace attempted suicide in 1946 with sleeping pills, and in 1949 with a self-inflicted knife wound.[6][7]

In 1950, she had a marriage and annulment to former US Army Captain Jim Lloyd Randall.[7]

Wallace's third marriage was to actor Cornel Wilde, who was her co-star in The Big Combo, Lancelot and Guinevere and Beach Red, from 1951 to 1981.[5] She and Wilde had one son, Cornel Wallace Wilde, born on December 19, 1967.[7]

A Democrat, she supported the campaign of Adlai Stevenson during the 1952 presidential election.[8]

Death

Wallace died of a gastrointestinal hemorrhage on February 14, 1990. She is buried in Hollywood Forever Cemetery.[9]

Filmography
Film
Year Film Role Notes
1941 Ziegfeld Girl Ziegfeld girl Uncredited
Glamour Boy Girl Uncredited
Louisiana Purchase Louisiana Belle
1943 Salute for Three Hostess offering Buzz apple from basket
1944 You Can't Ration Love Madge
1946 It Shouldn't Happen to a Dog Bess Williams
1947 Blaze of Noon Poppy
1948 When My Baby Smiles at Me Sylvia Marco Uncredited
1949 Jigsaw Barbara Whitfield Alternative title: Gun Moll
The Man on the Eiffel Tower Edna Wallace
1950 The Good Humor Man Bonnie Conroy
1951 Native Son Mary Dalton Alternative title: Sangre negra
1954 Star of India Katrina Alternative title: Stella dell'India
1955 The Big Combo Susan Lowell
Storm Fear Elizabeth
1957 The Devil's Hairpin Kelly James
1958 Maracaibo Laura Kingsley
1963 Lancelot and Guinevere Guinevere Alternative title: Sword of Lancelot
1967 Beach Red Julie MacDonald Appears in flashback photos; sings the title song
1970 No Blade of Grass Ann Custance (Last appearance)
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1952 Schlitz Playhouse of Stars 1 episode
1955 General Electric Theater Leslie Mason 1 episode

References
  1. Joseph F. Clarke (1977). Pseudonyms. BCA. p. 168.
  2. Migrants, Immigrants, and Slaves: Racial and Ethnic Groups in America By Thompson Dele Olasiji. p.118.
  3. "Franchot Tone Weds 18 Year Old Chicago Actress in Arizona". Chicago Tribune. Illinois, Chicago. Associated Press. October 19, 1941. p. 1. Retrieved November 13, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Tone, Russell Pierced by Dart". Argus-Leader. South Dakota, Sioux Falls. Associated Press. October 19, 1941. p. 1. Retrieved November 13, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. Folkart, Burt A. (February 17, 1990). "Jean Wallace; Film Star, Wife of Late Cornel Wilde". The Los Angeles Times. California, Los Angeles. p. A 36. Retrieved November 13, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Franchot Tone's Ex-Wife Jean Wallace Stabs Self". The Los Angeles Times. California, Los Angeles. November 21, 1949. p. 1. Retrieved November 13, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. Fowler, Glenn. The New York Times. Obituary, "Jean Wallace, 66, Screen Actress Known for 1940's and 50's Roles", February 18, 1990. Accessed: July 25, 2013.
  8. Motion Picture and Television Magazine, November 1952, page 33, Ideal Publishers
  9. NNDB. 2013 Soylent Communications. Accessed: July 25, 2013.
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