Jane Darwell (born Patti Woodard; October 15, 1879 – August 13, 1967) was an American actress of stage, film, and television. With appearances in more than 100 major movies spanning half a century, Darwell is perhaps best remembered for her poignant portrayal of the matriarch and leader of the Joad family in the film adaptation of John Steinbeck's '' The Grapes of Wrath'', for which she received the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She has a star on the

Hollywood Walk of Fame The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a historic landmark which consists of more than 2,700 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood, Calif ...

Early life

Born to William Robert Woodard, president of the Louisville Southern Railroad, and Ellen Booth Woodard in Palmyra, Missouri, Darwell originally intended to become a circus rider, then later an opera singer. Her father, however, objected to those career plans, so she compromised by becoming an actress, changing her name to Darwell to avoid sullying the family name. The Jane Darwell Birthplace was added to the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artist ...

in 1984.

Woodard vs. Woodward

Some sources give Darwell's birth name as Patti Woodward. They include ''Women in World History: A Biographical Encyclopedia'', ''Screen World Presents the Encyclopedia of Hollywood Film Actors: From the silent era to 1965'', ''Missouri Biographical Dictionary'', ''Screen World 1968'', ''The New Biographical Dictionary of Film'', and ''Dictionary of Missouri Biography''.

Career

Grapes of Wrath, The - (Original Trailer) - 02

Darwell studied voice culture and the piano, followed by dramatics. At one point, she decided to enter a convent, then changed her mind and became an actress. She began acting in theater productions in Chicago and made her first film appearance in 1913. She appeared in almost 20 films over the next two years, then returned to the stage. After a 15-year absence from films, she appeared in '' Tom Sawyer'' (1930), and her career as a Hollywood character actress began. Short, stout and plain, she was quickly cast in a succession of films, usually as the mother of one of the main characters. She also appeared in five Shirley Temple films, usually as the housekeeper or grandmother. Best supporting actor and actress 1940

She won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress as Ma Joad in '' The Grapes of Wrath'' (1940), a role she was given at the insistence of Henry Fonda, the film's star. A contract player with

20th Century Fox 20th Century Studios, Inc. (previously known as 20th Century Fox) is an American film studio, film production company headquartered at the Fox Studio Lot in the Century City area of Los Angeles. As of 2019, it serves as a film production arm o ...

, Darwell was memorably cast in '' The Ox-Bow Incident'', and occasionally starred in B movies and played featured parts in scores of major films. Darwell had noted appearances on the stage as well; in 1944, she was popular in the stage comedy ''Suds in Your Eye'', in which she played an Irishwoman who had inherited a junkyard. By the end of her career, she had appeared in more than 170 films, including '' Huckleberry Finn'' (1931), ''

Jesse James Jesse Woodson James (September 5, 1847April 3, 1882) was an American outlaw, bank and train robber, guerrilla and leader of the James–Younger Gang. Raised in the " Little Dixie" area of Western Missouri, James and his family maintained s ...

'' (1939), '' Gone with the Wind'' (1939), ''

The Devil and Daniel Webster "The Devil and Daniel Webster" (1936) is a short story by American writer Stephen Vincent Benét. He tells of a New Hampshire farmer who sells his soul to the devil and is later defended by Daniel Webster, a fictional version of the noted 19th-c ...

'' (1941), '' The Ox-Bow Incident'' (1943), and '' My Darling Clementine'' (1946). On the television front, Darwell was among the guest stars on an episode of '' Faye Emerson's Wonderful Town'', a variety series that aired on CBS from 1951 to 1952 in which hostess Faye Emerson visits a different city each week to accent the local music. In 1954, Darwell appeared with Andy Clyde in the episode "Santa's Old Suit" of the series '' The Pepsi-Cola Playhouse''. This same episode was re-run the following Christmas 1955 on '' Studio 57''. In 1959, she appeared with child actor Roger Mobley in the episode "Mr. Rush's Secretary" on '' Buckskin'', starring Tom Nolan and Sally Brophy. That same year she appeared in the TV Western series ''

Wagon Train ''Wagon Train'' is an American Western series that aired 8 seasons: first on the NBC television network (1957–1962), and then on ABC (1962–1965). ''Wagon Train'' debuted on September 18, 1957, and became number one in the Nielsen ratings ...

'' as “Mrs. Anderson” in the S2E23 episode “The Vivian Carter Story”. She guest starred on John Bromfield's crime drama ''Sheriff of Cochise''. On July 27, 1961, Darwell appeared as Grandmother McCoy in an episode of the sitcom '' The Real McCoys''. In the story, the series characters played by Walter Brennan, Richard Crenna, and Kathleen Nolan return to fictitious Smokey Corners, West Virginia for Grandmother McCoy's 100th birthday gathering. Darwell was 15 years older than "son" Walter Brennan. Pat Buttram and Henry Jones appeared in this episode as Cousin Carl and Jed McCoy, respectively. On February 8, 1960, Darwell received a star on the

for her contributions to the motion-picture industry; it is located at 6735 Hollywood Boulevard. In her mid-eighties, Darwell was semi-retired from acting, other than a rare television guest appearance. She had recently moved into the Motion Picture Country Home because of her advanced age and feebleness. When Disney offered her the role of the Bird Woman in '' Mary Poppins'' (1964), Darwell declined the role. Walt Disney, still insistent, personally drove to the retirement home to plead with her and she agreed to take the part. It was her last acting role. In this pivotal scene in the movie, the Bird Woman at the steps of

St Paul's Cathedral St Paul's Cathedral is an Anglicanism, Anglican cathedral in London and is the seat of the Bishop of London. The cathedral serves as the mother church of the Diocese of London. It is on Ludgate Hill at the highest point of the City of London ...

Square sells bags of bread crumbs to passers-by to feed the pigeons. The "poignant" song " Feed the Birds" was sung by Julie Andrews, as a

hymn A hymn is a type of song, and partially synonymous with devotional song, specifically written for the purpose of adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification. The word ''hymn ...

-like lullaby.

Death

During her last years, Darwell was in poor health. She died August 13, 1967, at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital from a

myocardial infarction A myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow decreases or stops to the coronary artery of the heart, causing damage to the heart muscle. The most common symptom is chest pain or discomfort which ...

at the age of 87 and her body was interred at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in

Glendale, California Glendale is a city in the San Fernando Valley and Verdugo Mountains regions of Los Angeles County, California California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents ac ...

Partial filmography

*''

Brewster's Millions ''Brewster's Millions'' is a comedic novel written by George Barr McCutcheon in 1902, originally under the pseudonym of Richard Greaves. The plot concerns a young man whose grandfather leaves him $1 million in a will, but a competing will from an ...

'' (1914) as Mrs. Dan De Mille *'' The Master Mind'' (1914) as Milwaukee Sadie *'' The Only Son'' (1914) as Mrs. Brainerd *'' The Man on the Box'' (1914) as Mrs. Chadwick *'' Ready Money'' (1914) as Mrs. Tyler *'' Rose of the Rancho'' (1914) as Senora Castro Kenton / Juanita's Mother *'' The Hypocrites'' (1915) as Madam (uncredited) *'' The Goose Girl'' (1915) as Irma *'' After Five'' (1915) as Mrs. Russell - Aunt Diddy *'' The Rug Maker's Daughter'' (1915) as Mrs. Van Buren *'' The Reform Candidate'' (1915) as Mrs. Haggerty *'' Little Church Around the Corner'' (1923) as Anxious Woman at Mine Disaster (uncredited) *'' Tom Sawyer'' (1930) as Widow Douglas *''

Fighting Caravans ''Fighting Caravans'' is a 1931 American pre-Code Western film directed by Otto Brower and David Burton and starring Gary Cooper, Lili Damita, and Ernest Torrence. Based on the 1929 novel ''Fighting Caravans'' by Zane Grey, the film is about a ...

'' (1931) as Pioneer Woman (uncredited) *'' Huckleberry Finn'' (1931) as Widow Douglas *'' Ladies of the Big House'' (1931) as Mrs. Turner *'' No One Man'' (1932) as Patient (uncredited) *'' Young America'' (1932) as Schoolteacher (uncredited) *'' The Strange Case of Clara Deane'' (1932) as Mortimer's Wife (uncredited) *'' Back Street'' (1932) as Mrs. Adolph Schmidt *'' Washington Merry-Go-Round'' (1932) as Alice's Aunt (uncredited) *'' Hot Saturday'' (1932) as Mrs Ida Brock *'' Women Won't Tell'' (1932) as Mrs. Walter Robinson *'' Air Hostess'' (1933) as Ma Kearns *'' The Past of Mary Holmes'' (1933) *'' Child of Manhattan'' (1933) as Mrs. McGonegle *'' Murders in the Zoo'' (1933) as Banquet Guest (uncredited) *''

Bondage Bondage may refer to: Restraints *Physical restraints **Bondage (BDSM), use of restraint for erotic stimulation ***Self-bondage, use of restraints on oneself for erotic pleasure Social and economic practices *Serfdom, feudal enslavement of peasan ...

'' (1933) as Mrs. Elizabeth Wharton *'' The Girl in 419'' (1933) as Nurse Esmond (uncredited) *'' Emergency Call'' (1933) as Head Nurse Brown (uncredited) *'' Jennie Gerhardt'' (1933) as Boardinghouse Keeper (uncredited) *'' Bed of Roses'' (1933) as Mrs. Webster - Head Prison Matron (uncredited) *'' Before Dawn'' (1933) as Mrs. Marble *'' He Couldn't Take It'' (1933) as Mrs. Case *'' One Sunday Afternoon'' (1933) as Mrs. Lind *'' Ann Vickers'' (1933) as Mrs. Gage (uncredited) *'' Aggie Appleby, Maker of Men'' (1933) as Mrs. Spence - Landlady (uncredited) *'' Only Yesterday'' (1933) as Mrs. Lane *'' Design for Living'' (1933) as Curtis' Housekeeper *'' Roman Scandals'' (1933) as Roman Spa Proprietress (uncredited) *''

King for a Night ''King for a Night'' is a 1933 American pre-Code crime film directed by Kurt Neumann starring Chester Morris and Helen Twelvetrees.Quinlan p.470 Plot A prizefighter is convicted of a murder that was actually committed by his sister. Cast * C ...

'' (1933) as Mrs. Williams (uncredited) *''

Cross Country Cruise ''Cross Country Cruise'' is a 1934 American Pre-Code romance film directed by Edward Buzzell and written by Elmer Blaney Harris. The film stars Lew Ayres, June Knight, Alice White, Alan Dinehart, Minna Gombell, and Eugene Pallette. The film w ...

'' (1934) as Mrs. O'Hara (uncredited) *'' Fashions of 1934'' (1934) as Customer at Maison Elegance (uncredited) *'' Wonder Bar'' (1934) as Baroness (uncredited) *'' Heat Lightning'' (1934) as Gladys *'' David Harum'' (1934) as Mrs. Woolsey (uncredited) *'' Journal of a Crime'' (1934) as Dinner Guest (uncredited) *'' Once to Every Woman'' (1934) as Mrs. Wood *'' Finishing School'' (1934) as Maude - interns' Receptionist (uncredited) *'' The Scarlet Empress'' (1934) as Miss Cardell, Sophia's Nurse (uncredited) *'' Change of Heart'' (1934) as Mrs. McGowan *'' Let's Talk It Over'' (1934) as Mrs. O'Keefe *'' The Most Precious Thing in Life'' (1934) as Mrs. O'Day *''

Blind Date A blind date is a social engagement between two people who have not met, usually arranged by a mutual acquaintance. Structure A blind date is arranged for by a mutual acquaintance of both participants. The two people who take part in the blind ...

'' (1934) as Ma Taylor *'' Million Dollar Ransom'' (1934) as Ma McGarry (uncredited) *'' Embarrassing Moments'' (1934) as Mrs. Stuckelberger *'' One Night of Love'' (1934) as Mrs. Barrett - Mary's Mother (uncredited) *'' Desirable'' (1934) as Frederick's Mother (uncredited) *'' Wake Up and Dream'' (1934) as Landlady *'' Happiness Ahead'' (1934) as Mrs. Davis - the Landlady *'' Tomorrow's Youth'' (1934) as Mary O'Brien *''

The Firebird ''The Firebird'' (french: L'Oiseau de feu, link=no; russian: Жар-птица, Zhar-ptitsa, link=no) is a ballet and orchestral concert work by the Russian composer Igor Stravinsky. It was written for the 1910 Paris season of Sergei Diaghilev's ...

'' (1934) as Mrs. Miller - Apartment House Tenant (uncredited) *'' The White Parade'' (1934) as Miss 'Sailor' Roberts *'' Gentlemen Are Born'' (1934) as Landlady (uncredited) *'' Bright Eyes'' (1934) as Elizabeth Higgins *'' One More Spring'' (1935) as Mrs. Mary Sweeney *'' McFadden's Flats'' (1935) as Nora McFadden *'' Life Begins at 40'' (1935) as Ida Harris *'' Curly Top'' (1935) as Mrs. Henrietta Denham *'' Navy Wife'' (1935) as Mrs. Louise Keats *''

Metropolitan Metropolitan may refer to: * Metropolitan area, a region consisting of a densely populated urban core and its less-populated surrounding territories * Metropolitan borough, a form of local government district in England * Metropolitan county, a typ ...

'' (1935) as Grandma (uncredited) *'' We're Only Human'' (1935) as Mrs. Walsh *'' Paddy O'Day'' (1936) as Dora *'' The Country Doctor'' (1936) as Mrs. Graham *'' The First Baby'' (1936) as Mrs. Ellis *'' Captain January'' (1936) as Mrs. Eliza Croft *'' Private Number'' (1936) as Mrs. Meecham *'' Little Miss Nobody'' (1936) as Martha Bradley *'' The Poor Little Rich Girl'' (1936) as Woodward *'' White Fang'' (1936) as Maud Mahoney *'' Star for a Night'' (1936) as Mrs. Martha Lind *'' Ramona'' (1936) as Aunt Ri Hyar *'' Craig's Wife'' (1936) as Mrs. Harold *'' Laughing at Trouble'' (1936) as Glory Bradford *''

Love Is News ''Love Is News'' is a 1937 romantic comedy film starring Tyrone Power, Loretta Young, and Don Ameche. The movie was directed by Tay Garnett and was the first film for which Power had top billing. The picture was remade in 1947 as ''That Wonderf ...

'' (1937) as Mrs. Flaherty *'' Nancy Steele Is Missing!'' (1937) as Mrs. Mary Flaherty *'' The Great Hospital Mystery'' (1937) as Miss Sarah Keats *'' Fifty Roads to Town'' (1937) as Mrs. Henry *''

Slave Ship Slave ships were large cargo ships specially built or converted from the 17th to the 19th century for transporting slaves. Such ships were also known as "Guineamen" because the trade involved human trafficking to and from the Guinea coast i ...

'' (1937) as Mrs. Marlowe *''

The Singing Marine ''The Singing Marine'' is a 1937 American musical film directed by Ray Enright and Busby Berkeley and starring Dick Powell. It was the last of Powell's trio of service-related Warners films: 1934's ''Flirtation Walk'' paid tribute, of sorts ...

'' (1937) as "Ma" Marine *'' Wife, Doctor and Nurse'' (1937) Mrs. Krueger *'' Dangerously Yours'' (1937) as Aunt Cynthia Barton *'' Change of Heart'' (1938) as Mrs. Thompson *''

The Jury's Secret ''The Jury's Secret'' is a 1938 American drama film directed by Edward Sloman and starring Kent Taylor, Fay Wray, and Jane Darwell. Cast *Kent Taylor as Walter Rusell *Fay Wray as Linda Ware *Jane Darwell as Mrs. Sheldon *Nan Grey as Mary Norris ...

'' (1938) as Mrs. Sheldon *''

Battle of Broadway ''Battle of Broadway'' is a 1938 American comedy film directed by George Marshall and written by Lou Breslow and John Patrick. The film stars Victor McLaglen, Brian Donlevy, Gypsy Rose Lee, Raymond Walburn, Lynn Bari and Jane Darwell. The film wa ...

'' (1938) as Mrs. Rogers *'' Three Blind Mice'' (1938) as Mrs. Killan *'' Little Miss Broadway'' (1938) as Miss Hutchins *'' Time Out for Murder'' (1938) as Polly - Helen's Supervisor *'' Five of a Kind'' (1938) as Mrs. Waldron *'' Up the River'' (1938) as Mrs. Graham *''

'' (1939) as Mrs. Samuels *'' Inside Story'' (1939) as Aunt Mary Perkins *'' The Zero Hour'' (1939) as Sophie *'' Unexpected Father'' (1939) as Mrs. Callahan *'' Grand Jury Secrets'' (1939) as Mrs. Keefe *'' The Rains Came'' (1939) as Aunt Phoebe - Mrs. Smiley *''

20,000 Men a Year ''20,000 Men a Year'' (aka ''Air Story'' and ''Aviation Story'') is a 1939 American action film directed by Alfred E. Green and written by Lou Breslow and Owen Francis. The film stars Randolph Scott, Preston Foster, Margaret Lindsay, Mary Heal ...

'' (1939) as Mrs. Allen *'' Gone with the Wind'' (1939) as Mrs. Merriwether *''

Miracle on Main Street ''Miracle on Main Street'' is a 1939 American drama film directed by Steve Sekely and written by Frederick J. Jackson. The film stars Margo, Walter Abel, William Collier Sr., Jane Darwell, Lyle Talbot and Wynne Gibson. The film was released on Dec ...

'' (1939) as Mrs. Herman *'' The Grapes of Wrath'' (1940) as Ma Joad *'' Untamed'' (1940) as Mrs. Maggie Moriarty *''

Brigham Young Brigham Young (; June 1, 1801August 29, 1877) was an American religious leader and politician. He was the second President of the Church (LDS Church), president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), from 1847 until his ...

'' (1940) as Eliza Kent *'' Youth Will Be Served'' (1940) as Supervisor Stormer *'' Chad Hanna'' (1940) as Mrs. Huguenine *'' Thieves Fall Out'' (1941) as Grandma Allen *'' Private Nurse'' (1941) as Miss Adams *''

'' (1941) as Ma Stone *'' All Through the Night'' (1942) as Mrs. 'Ma' Donahue *'' Young America'' (1942) as Grandmother Nora Campbell *'' On the Sunny Side'' (1942) as Annie *'' Small Town Deb'' (1942) as Katie *'' It Happened in Flatbush'' (1942) as Mrs. Maguire *'' Men of Texas'' (1942) as Mrs.Scott aka Aunt Hattie *'' The Loves of Edgar Allan Poe'' (1942) as Mrs. Mariah Clemm *'' Highways by Night'' (1942) as Grandma Fogarty *'' The Great Gildersleeve'' (1942) as Aunt Emma Forrester *'' Gildersleeve's Bad Day'' (1943) as Aunt Emma Forrester *'' The Ox-Bow Incident'' (1943) as Ma Grier *'' Stage Door Canteen'' (1943) as Herself *'' Government Girl'' (1943) as Miss Trask (uncredited) *'' Tender Comrade'' (1943) as Mrs. Henderson *'' Reckless Age'' (1944) as Mrs. Connors *''

The Impatient Years ''The Impatient Years'' is a 1944 romance film made by Columbia Pictures, directed by Irving Cummings, and written by Virginia Van Upp This was the final film Jean Arthur owed Columbia as part of her long contract which included periods of fight ...

'' (1944) as Minister's Wife *'' Music in Manhattan'' (1944) as Mrs. Pearson *''

She's a Sweetheart ''She's a Sweetheart'' is a 1944 American musical film directed by Del Lord and starring Jane Frazee. Plot A woman known to all simply as "Mom" runs a canteen where soldiers in particular are welcome. Maxine is a singer at the club and has sto ...

'' (1944) as Mom *'' Sunday Dinner for a Soldier'' (1944) as Mrs. Helen Dobson *'' I Live in Grosvenor Square'' (1945) as Mrs. Patterson *'' Captain Tugboat Annie'' (1945) as Tugboat Annie *'' The Dark Horse'' (1946) as Aunt Hattie *'' Three Wise Fools'' (1946) as Sister Mary Brigid *'' My Darling Clementine'' (1946) as Kate Nelson *'' Keeper of the Bees'' (1947) as Mrs. Ferris *''

The Red Stallion ''The Red Stallion'' is a 1947 American Western film directed by Lesley Selander shot in Cinecolor. It is about a young boy who trains his beloved pet horse to be a racehorse in order to save his grandmother's farm from foreclosure. It was filme ...

'' (1947) as Mrs. Aggie Curtis *'' Train to Alcatraz'' (1948) as Aunt Ella *''

3 Godfathers ''3 Godfathers'' is a 1948 American Western film directed by John Ford and filmed (although not set) primarily in Death Valley, California. The screenplay, written by Frank S. Nugent and Laurence Stallings, is based on the 1913 novelette '' T ...

'' (1948) as Miss Florie *'' Red Canyon'' (1949) as Aunt Jane *''

The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady ''The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady'' is a 1950 American musical film directed by David Butler. It stars June Haver and Gordon MacRae. The story is mostly about the lives of musical performers in New York in the closing years of the 19th century. M ...

'' (1950) as Mrs. Murphy *'' Wagon Master'' (1950) as Sister Ledyard *'' Caged'' (1950) as Isolation Matron *'' Surrender'' (1950) as Molly Hale *''

Redwood Forest Trail ''Redwood Forest Trail'' is a 1950 American Western film directed by Philip Ford and written by Bradford Ropes. The film stars Rex Allen, Jeff Donnell, Carl Switzer, Jane Darwell, Marten Lamont and Pierre Watkin. The film was released on S ...

'' (1950) as Hattie Hickory *'' Three Husbands'' (1950) as Mrs. Wurdeman *'' The Second Face'' (1950) as Mrs. Lockridge *'' Father's Wild Game'' (1950) as Minverva Bobbin *''

The Lemon Drop Kid ''The Lemon Drop Kid'' is a 1951 American comedy film based on the short story of the same name by Damon Runyon, starring Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell. Although Sidney Lanfield is credited as the director, Frank Tashlin reportedly was hired, un ...

'' (1951) as Nellie Thursday *'' Excuse My Dust'' (1951) as Mrs. Belden *'' Journey into Light'' (1951) as Mack *'' We're Not Married!'' (1952) as Mrs. Bush *'' The Sun Shines Bright'' (1953) as Mrs. Aurora Ratchitt *'' It Happens Every Thursday'' (1953) as Mrs. Eva Spatch *'' Affair with a Stranger'' (1953) as Ma Stanton *'' The Bigamist'' (1953) as Mrs. Connelley *'' Hit the Deck'' (1955) as Jenny *'' There's Always Tomorrow'' (1955) as Mrs. Rogers *'' A Life at Stake'' (1955) as Landlady *'' Girls in Prison'' (1956) as Matron Jamieson *''

The Last Hurrah ''The Last Hurrah'' is a 1956 novel written by Edwin O'Connor. It is considered the most popular of O’Connor's works, partly because of a 1958 movie adaptation starring Spencer Tracy. The novel was immediately a bestseller in the United Sta ...

'' (1958) as Delia Boylan *'' Hound-Dog Man'' (1959) as Grandma Wilson *'' Mary Poppins'' (1964) as The Bird Woman (final film role)

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Darwell, Jane 1879 births 1967 deaths Actresses from Missouri American film actresses American stage actresses Best Supporting Actress Academy Award winners People from Marion County, Missouri Actresses from Los Angeles Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale) 20th-century American actresses 20th Century Studios contract players