Joan Valerie

Joan Valerie (born Helen Vlahakis;[2] July 15, 1911 – January 30, 1983) was a Greek-American actress, who appeared mainly in B movies in the late 1930s and 1940s.

Joan Valerie
Born
Helen Vlahakis

(1911-07-15)July 15, 1911
Rhinelander, Wisconsin, U.S.
DiedJanuary 30, 1983(1983-01-30) (aged 71)
Long Beach, California, U.S.
Occupationfilm actress
Years active1935-1953
Spouse(s)Paris Methusis
Grant Richards (1940-1942)
ChildrenJo-Ellen Rose (b. 1941)
George (b. 1945)[1]

Early years

Born in Sparta, Wisconsin,[3] Valerie was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Vlahakis, with a sister, Catherine,[4] and brothers Peter,[5] William,[6] Ted[7] and Chris.[8]

Vlahakis was a 1931 graduate of Rhinelander High School.[9] She participated in local play productions in her hometown[10][11] and was active in theatrical productions[2] at Morningside College.[12]

In 1934, Vlahakis was selected from a group of 44 women as Morningside College's "most beautiful girl,"[13] Miss Morningside.[3]

Film

Valerie initially changed her name to Helen Valkis for acting purposes.[2] Under that name, in 1928, she was the leading lady in Yukon Trails, a Rex Pictures production that was filmed in Valerie's hometown, Rhinelander, Wisconsin, with an all-local cast.[14]

Vlahakis' performance as the lead in Edward Elsner's Not So Long Ago in Hollywood led to two film studios' giving her tryouts, one of which resulted in a small part in Reckless (1935).[3] After signing a contract (as Helen Valkis) with the Independent Productions film company in 1935,[15] she received a long-term contract from Warner Bros. in 1936.[16]

She was discovered by Darryl F. Zanuck on stage at the Pasadena Playhouse. Films include Confession, The Prince and the Pauper, Day-Time Wife, Sergeant Murphy, and Rio Rita.

Personal life

She was married to Paris Methusis[17] and, in 1940,[18] to Grant Richards.[17] She and Richards, with whom she had a daughter, Jo-Ellen Rose, were divorced September 9, 1942. A newspaper report said that Valerie "sued under her true name of Helen Jaffe."[18] She also had a son, George.[5]

Partial filmography

References
  1. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5600812/the_rhinelander_daily_news/
  2. "Beauty of Girl Here Is Lauded by Californian". The Rhinelander Daily News. Wisconsin, Rhinelander. January 4, 1935. p. 5. Retrieved June 15, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. "Bright Future in Drama Predicted for Local Girl". The Rhinelander Daily News. Wisconsin, Rhinelander. March 29, 1935. p. 8. Retrieved June 16, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Many Here for Wedding Rites". The Rhinelander Daily News. Wisconsin, Rhinelander. June 16, 1931. p. 5. Retrieved June 16, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. Muller, Pat (August 1, 1951). "Movie Actress Is Vacationing In Home Town". The Rhinelander Daily News. Wisconsin, Rhinelander. p. 5. Retrieved June 16, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "William Vlakis Is Hollywood Theater Star". The Rhinelander Daily News. Wisconsin, Rhinelander. December 4, 1946. p. 5. Retrieved June 16, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Joan Valerie (Helen Vlahakis) Home Today; Greets Friends". The Rhinelander Daily News. Wisconsin, Rhinelander. August 11, 1938. p. 2. Retrieved June 16, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "Joan Valerie Bring Sbeath of Hollywood to Her Home Town". The Rhinelander Daily News. Wisconsin, Rhinelander. February 10, 1943. p. 2. Retrieved June 16, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. "Helen Valkis Was Active in School Plays". The Rhinelander Daily News. Wisconsin, Rhinelander. May 18, 1937. p. 5. Retrieved June 16, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. "(ad for play)". The Rhinelander Daily News. Wisconsin, Rhinelander. December 17, 1932. p. 2. Retrieved June 16, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. "Announce Personnel for Historical Pageant Here". The Rhinelander Daily News. Wisconsin, Rhinelander. June 30, 1932. p. 2. Retrieved June 16, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. "Orchestra Will Appear During Guild Program". The Rhinelander Daily News. Wisconsin, Rhinelander. December 17, 1932. p. 3. Retrieved June 16, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. "Miss Vlahakis Wins Honor as Beauty Queen". The Rhinelander Daily News. Wisconsin, Rhinelander. May 26, 1934. p. 2. Retrieved June 16, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. "Rhinelander Movie Is Shown This Week". The Rhinelander Daily News. Wisconsin, Rhinelander. December 26, 1928. p. 2. Retrieved June 15, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. "Signs Movie Contract". The Rhinelander Daily News. Wisconsin, Rhinelander. May 21, 1935. p. 3. Retrieved June 16, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. "Warners Sign Helen Valkis". The Rhinelander Daily News. Wisconsin, Rhinelander. October 7, 1936. p. 2. Retrieved June 16, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. "Joan Valerie". Omnilexica. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
  18. "Wins Custody of Daughter". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Associated Press. September 10, 1942. p. 12. Retrieved 16 June 2016.


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.