Helen Wood (actress)
Helen Wood | |
|---|---|
 Wood in 1935 | |
| Born | June 4, 1917 Clarksville, Tennessee, US |
| Died | February 8, 1988 (aged 70) Los Angeles, California, US |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1933–1949 |
| Spouses | Alfred Huenergardt
(m. 1940, divorced)Erle Henriksen (m. 1942) |
Helen Wood (June 4, 1917 – February 8, 1988)[1][2] was an American actress active in film and radio primarily during the 1930s. She is not to be confused with the actress and performer Helen [Ann] Wood (1935–1998), who later appeared in Deep Throat.
Biography
[edit]Wood was born in Clarksville, Tennessee, to Edwin Wood (who worked in real estate and insurance) and Hazel Case.[3] She had a younger sister, Mary Martha.[4]
After winning a beauty contest at Clarksville's Capitol Theatre in 1933 as a teenager, Wood earned a trip to Hollywood, where she was cast in Roman Scandals (1933). She then returned to Clarksville to finish high school. Upon her return to Hollywood after graduation, she signed a contract with MGM.[5][6]
She reportedly spent $4,000 on a vocal coach who helped her drop her Southern accent.[7] She later signed at 20th Century Fox, where she was made to compete for parts against fellow actresses Rita Hayworth (then Margarita Cansino) and Dixie Dunbar.[3] On-screen, she was frequently paired with actor Thomas Beck.[8] Supposedly she had to back out of a big role due to an illness early on in her career.[5]
She also worked in radio in the late 1930s.
Personal life
[edit]In December 1940, Wood married Dr. Alfred Huenergardt;[9] the marriage ended in divorce.[10] In October 1942, she married Dr. Erle Henriksen.[11] She died in Los Angeles on February 8, 1988.[2][12]
Selected filmography
[edit]- Roman Scandals (1933)
- Moulin Rouge (1934)
- Kid Millions (1934)
- Gold Diggers of 1935 (1935)
- Mary Jane's Pa (1935)
- In Caliente (1935)
- Anna Karenina (1935)
- She Married Her Boss (1935)
- The Goose and the Gander (1935)
- A Midsummer Night's Dream (1935)
- My Marriage (1936)
- Champagne Charlie (1936)
- High Tension (1936)
- Charlie Chan at the Race Track (1936)
- Sing, Baby, Sing (1936)
- Can This Be Dixie? (1936)
- Crack-Up (1936)
- Almost a Gentleman (1939)
- Sorority House (1939)
- The Pilgrimage Play (1949)
References
[edit]- ^ "U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007". Ancestry.com. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
- ^ a b "Obituary: Helen Henriksen Wood". The Los Angeles Times. February 10, 1988. p. I-20 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Helen Wood in the Race for 3 at Stardom". The Leaf-Chronicle. November 30, 1935. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
- ^ "Staton Buys Wood Agency; Wood to Leave". The Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle. September 1, 1943. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
- ^ a b Crow, Charlie (November 23, 1936). "Helen Wood, First Queen of Turkey Day Game Here, Wishes Luck to All of C.H.S." The Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
- ^ "Helen Wood to Wed". Kentucky New Era. December 5, 1940. p. 4 – via Google News Archive.
- ^ "Briefs About Film Stars Here This Week". The Indianapolis Star. December 17, 1936. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
- ^ Percy, Eileen (August 6, 1936). "Helen Wood and Tom Beck Teamed Up for Third Time". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
- ^ "Huenergardt-Wood Vows Said Dec. 30". The Leaf-Chronicle. Clarkesville, Tennessee. January 17, 1941. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com. (subscription required)
- ^ "Selene Walters, Film Star, Marries Doctor". The Times. California, San Mateo. February 11, 1946. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Helen Wood weds in California". The Leaf Chronicle. Clarkesville, Tennessee. October 26, 1942. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com. (subscription required)
- ^ "California, U.S., Death Index, 1940-1997". Ancestry.com. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
External links
[edit]- Helen Wood at IMDb