Gwen Lee (born Gwendolyn Lepinski; November 12, 1904 – August 20, 1961) was an American stage and film actress. Lee began her career as a model before being discovered and signed to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. She was typically cast in supporting roles. Lee appeared in over 60 films, and she retired in 1938.
Gwen Lee | |
|---|---|
 Lee in 1927 | |
| Born | Gwendolyn Lepinski November 12, 1904 Hastings, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Died | August 20, 1961 (aged 56) Reno, Nevada, U.S. |
| Other names | Gwendolyn Lee |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1925–1938 |
Acting career
editBorn to Mriette (née Kennedy) and Frank B. Lepinski in Hastings, Nebraska, Lee began her career as a department store model. She was discovered by director Monta Bell while appearing in a stage production.[1] She signed a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1925. The same year, she made her film debut in Lady of the Night, starring Norma Shearer. She followed with roles in Pretty Ladies, starring Zasu Pitts, His Secretary, and The Plastic Age, starring Clara Bow. In 1926, Lee was cast in The Lone Wolfe Returns, starring Bert Lytell and Billie Dove.[2]
In 1928, she was named a WAMPAS Baby Star.[3] Lee continued her career with supporting roles in Laugh, Clown, Laugh and The Actress (both 1928). Her career continued for almost a decade into the era of sound movies. Lee played Marjory in Untamed (1929), with Joan Crawford and Robert Montgomery. She appeared again with Crawford and Marie Prevost in the prison drama Paid (1930). In 1931, she was in The Galloping Ghost, with famed football running back Red Grange, and the crime drama The Lawless Woman, with Vera Reynolds. In 1932, she appeared in the Western Broadway to Cheyenne (1932), with Rex Bell.
By the late 1930s, Lee was appearing in minor film roles, most of which were uncredited. Her later film roles were in Man-Proof and Paroled from the Big House, both in 1938.
Personal life
editLee was sued by her mother Etta Lepinski, in March 1932. Lee was charged in a petition for guardianship. The lawsuit alleged that Lee was incompetent to handle her affairs, specifically she was incapable of managing her jewellery and personal property, valued in excess of $1,000 (about $17,208 in 2019). The case was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court.[4] Lee's mother dropped the suit in April, citing improvement in her daughter's health.[5] Later that same year, Lee was also sued by two clothiers for nonpayment.[6]
On May 4, 1943, she married George Mence, Jr.[7]
Death
editLee died on August 20, 1961, age 56, from undisclosed causes in Reno, Nevada.[8]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1925 | Lady of the Night | Molly's Friend | |
| Pretty Ladies | Fay | ||
| His Secretary | Clara Bayne | Lost film | |
| The Plastic Age | Carl's girl | Uncredited | |
| Time Flies | An Adventuress | Short film Credited as Gwendolyn Lee | |
| 1926 | The Boy Friend | Pettie Wilson | Lost film |
| The Lone Wolf Returns | Liane De Lorme | ||
| Upstage | Dixie Mason | ||
| There You Are! | Anita Grant | Lost film | |
| 1927 | Women Love Diamonds | Roberta Klein | |
| Heaven on Earth | Claire | Lost film | |
| Orchids and Ermine | Ermintrude | ||
| Twelve Miles Out | Hulda | ||
| Adam and Evil | Gwen De Vere | Lost film | |
| After Midnight | Maizie | ||
| Her Wild Oat | Daisy | ||
| 1928 | Lucky Boy | Mrs. Ellis | |
| Sharp Shooters | Flossy | ||
| Laugh, Clown, Laugh | Lucretia | ||
| The Actress | Avonia | Lost film | |
| Diamond Handcuffs | Cecile | Lost film | |
| A Thief in the Dark | Flo | Lost film | |
| Show Girl | Nita Dugan | ||
| The Baby Cyclone | Jessie | Lost film | |
| A Lady of Chance | Gwen | ||
| 1929 | The Duke Steps Out | Uncredited | |
| The Man and the Moment | Viola | ||
| Fast Company | Rosie La Clerq | Incomplete film | |
| Untamed | Marjory | ||
| The Hollywood Revue of 1929 | Herself | ||
| 1930 | Chasing Rainbows | Peggy | |
| Lord Byron of Broadway | Bessie | ||
| Free and Easy | Participant in Bedroom Scene | Alternative title: Easy Go | |
| Caught Short | Manicurist | ||
| Estrellados | Herself | ||
| Our Blushing Brides | Mannequin | ||
| Extravagance | Sally | ||
| Paid | Bertha | ||
| 1931 | Inspiration | Gaby | |
| The Lawless Woman | Kitty Adams | ||
| Traveling Husbands | Mabel | ||
| The Galloping Ghost | Irene Courtland | ||
| Julius Sizzer | Cleo | Short film | |
| The Pagan Lady | Gwen Willis | ||
| West of Broadway | Maizie | ||
| 1932 | Alias Mary Smith | Blossom | |
| Midnight Morals | Dora Cobb | ||
| Broadway to Cheyenne | Mrs. Myrna Wallace | ||
| Boy Oh Boy! | Short film | ||
| 1933 | The Intruder | Daisy | |
| Song of the Eagle | Nails' Girl | Uncredited | |
| Corruption | Mae | ||
| Meet the Baron | Small role | Uncredited | |
| 1934 | City Park | Maizie, the Hooker | |
| 1935 | $20 a Week | Ann Seymour | |
| One in a Million | Kitty Kennedy | Alternative title: Dangerous Appointment | |
| A Night at the Opera | Driftwood's Dining Companion | Uncredited | |
| 1936 | Absolute Quiet | Western Union Operator | Uncredited |
| How to Behave | Restaurant Gossip | Short film Uncredited | |
| Fury | Mrs. Fred Garrett | Uncredited | |
| Libeled Lady | Switchboard Operator | Uncredited | |
| My Dear Miss Aldrich | Hat Saleswoman | Uncredited | |
| 1937 | Give Till It Hurts | Telephone Solicitor | Short film Uncredited |
| Double Wedding | Woman in Crowd | Uncredited | |
| A Night at the Movies | Cashier | Short film Uncredited | |
| Candid Cameramaniacs | Drowzina, Otto's Wife | Short film Uncredited | |
| Mannequin | Flo | Uncredited | |
| 1938 | Man-Proof | Blonde Woman at Fight | Uncredited |
| Pete Smith Specialty: Penny's Party | Herself | Short film | |
| Paroled from the Big House | Binnie Bell | Alternative title: Main Street Girl |
References
edit- ^ Shipman Springer, John; Hamilton, Jack D. (1974). They Had Faces Then: Super Stars, Stars, and Starlets Of the 1930s. Castle. p. 308. ISBN 0-890-09568-X.
- ^ "Gwen Lee Has Role In "Lone Wolf" Film". The Pittsburgh Press. August 1, 1926. p. 5. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
- ^ "GWEN LEE IN STEADY UP CLIMB". The Los Angeles Times. April 22, 1928. p. C28.
- ^ "Mother Sues Film Actress". The Oakland Tribune. March 11, 1932. p. B7.
- ^ "Incompetency Charge Against Gwen Lee Drops". The Los Angeles Times. April 1, 1932. p. A12.
- ^ "Cloak and Suit House Action Names Gwen Lee". The Los Angeles Times. October 17, 1932. p. A2.
- ^ California Marriage Certificate, 5/4/1943.
- ^ Doyle, Billy H. (1999). The Ultimate Directory Of Silent and Sound Era Performers: A Necrology Of Actors and Actresses. Scarecrow Press. p. 321. ISBN 0-810-83547-9.
Additional sources
edit- The Los Angeles Times, Maytime Will Have Ensemble, August 19, 1923, Page III 37.
- The Los Angeles Times, Gwen Appears, August 14, 1925, Page A9.
- The Los Angeles Times, Another Discovery, August 30, 1925, Page D18.
- The Los Angeles Times, Quartet of Beauties Who Will Vie for Eastern Star Cup, Page B2.
- The Los Angeles Times, Film Displays Fashions, October 20, 1925, Page A11.
- The Los Angeles Times, Actress Sued On Clothes Account, May 24, 1932, Page A8.
External links
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