June Walker

June Walker (June 14, 1900 – February 3, 1966) was an American stage and film actress.

June Walker
Walker in 1920
Born(1900-06-14)June 14, 1900
New York City, U.S.
DiedFebruary 3, 1966(1966-02-03) (aged 65)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
OccupationStage, film, television actress
Spouse(s)Geoffrey Kerr
ChildrenJohn Kerr
For the American activist and former Hadassah leader, see June Walker (Hadassah)

Early years

Walker was born in New York City on June 14, 1900, and was orphaned when she was 14. She worked as a millinery clerk before becoming an actress.[1]

Stage career
June Walker (Laurey Williams), Helen Westley (Aunt Eller Murphy) and Franchot Tone (Curly McClain) in the original Broadway production of Green Grow the Lilacs (1931)

Walker performed as a member of the chorus of a Globe Theater production of Hitchy-Koo when she was 16 years old.[1]

She appeared on Broadway in such plays as Green Grow the Lilacs, The Farmer Takes a Wife, and Twelfth Night.[2] She was the first actress to portray the character of Lorelei Lee, in the 1926 Broadway production of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Her obituary in The New York Times said the role "was as much her creation as that of Anita Loos who wrote the book that became the comedy ..."[1] The success of the play launched Walker's career, and she had further Broadway successes. She played Linda Loman to Thomas Mitchell's Willy in the 1949 touring company of Death of a Salesman. She toured as Vinnie in Life with Father

Film career

Walker acted in silent films for Essanay Studios and in sound films, including A Child Is Waiting, Through Different Eyes, The Unforgiven, and War Nurse.[3]

Personal life

In 1926, she married British actor Geoffrey Kerr. The couple divorced in 1943; their son was actor John Kerr.[4] She appeared with her son in a 1954 episode of NBC's Justice. It was his first acting engagement.

Death

On February 3, 1966, aged 65, Walker died of undisclosed causes at her son's home in Los Angeles.[1] She was interred in the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles.

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1921CoincidencePhoebe Howard
1930War NurseBabs
1942Thru Different EyesMargie
1960The UnforgivenHagar Rawlins
1963A Child Is WaitingMrs. McDonaldUncredited

References
  1. "June Walker, 65, first Lorelei Lee". The New York Times. February 5, 1966. p. 29. Retrieved November 5, 2020.
  2. "June Walker". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on November 6, 2020. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  3. Willis, John (June 1983). Screen World 1967. Biblo & Tannen Publishers. p. 240. ISBN 978-0-8196-0308-1. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  4. McFarlane, Brian (2016). The Encyclopedia of British Film: Fourth edition. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9781526111968. Retrieved 7 March 2017.


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