Lucille La Verne

Lucille La Verne (born Lucille Mitchum, November 8, 1872 – March 4, 1945) was an American stage and screen actress known for her appearances in silent, scolding, obnoxious, vituperative, sarcastic, cunning, and vengeful roles in early color films, as well as for her triumphs on the American stage. She is most widely remembered as the voice of the first Disney villain, the Evil Queen, Snow White's wicked stepmother from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), Walt Disney's first full-length animated feature film as well as her final film role.

Lucille La Verne
La Verne in 1915
Born(1872-11-08)November 8, 1872
Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
DiedMarch 4, 1945(1945-03-04) (aged 72)
Culver City, California, U.S.
Resting placeInglewood Park Cemetery, U.S.
Other namesLucille LaVerne, Lucille La Varney, Lucille Lavarney
OccupationActress, voice actress
Years active1888–1937
Notable work
Original voice of the Evil Queen in Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

Biography

La Verne was born near Nashville, Tennessee, on November 8, 1872.[1] She began her career as a child in local summer stock. As a teenager, she performed in small touring theater troupes. When she was 14, she played both Juliet and Lady Macbeth back to back. Her ability to play almost any part quickly caught the attention of more prolific companies, and she made her Broadway debut in 1888. She then became a leading lady with some of the best stock companies in America, scoring triumphs in San Francisco, Boston, and other cities. She eventually ran her own successful stock company.

On the New York stage, she was known for her range and versatility. Among her hits on Broadway were principal roles in Uncle Tom's Cabin, Seven Days and Way Down East. She was also known for her blackface roles. Her biggest stage triumph came in 1923 when she created the role of Widow Caggle in the hit play Sun Up. With her Broadway run, US tour, and European tour, La Verne gave over 3,000 performances. She also worked on Broadway as a playwright and director. In the late 1920s, a Broadway theater was named for her for a short period of time.

She made her motion picture debut in 1915 in the movie Over Night directed by James Young. She also performed a small part in the movie Orphans of the Storm, directed by D.W. Griffith. Her best known part is that of the voice of the Evil Queen, and her alter ego the old hag, from Disney's 1937 animated film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which was her final film performance.

Death

La Verne died at the age of 72 in Culver City, California on March 4, 1945,[1] after suffering from cancer. She was interred at Inglewood Park Cemetery.

Filmography

References
  1. "Lucille La Verne, noted actress, 72". The New York Times. March 4, 1945. p. 21. Retrieved November 12, 2020 – via ProQuest.
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