Gloria Blondell

Gloria Blondell (August 16, 1915 – March 25, 1986) was a stage, film, and television actress who was the younger sister of actress Joan Blondell.[2]

Gloria Blondell
Blondell as Honeybee Gillis in the 1950s sitcom The Life of Riley
Born(1915-08-16)August 16, 1915[1]
New York City, U.S.
DiedMarch 25, 1986(1986-03-25) (aged 70)
Santa Monica, California, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active1916–1962
Spouses
​
​
(m. 1940; div. 1945)​
    Victor Hunter
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1946; died 1980)​
    RelativesJoan Blondell (sister)

    Family

    Blondell was born into a vaudeville family. Her parents and siblings, Edward Jr. and Joan, were all entertainers. She once said, "[S]ome member of my family has been in the theater ever since the time of Richard the Lionhearted."[3] Her father, Levi Blustine (or Bluestein), a vaudeville comedian known as Ed Blondell,[4][5] was born in Poland to a Jewish family circa 1865 and died in Glendale, California, on March 27, 1943. He toured for many years starring in the Blondell/Fennessy stage version of The Katzenjammer Kids.[6][7][8][9] Blondell's mother, Catherine (also known as Kathryn or Katie) Caine, was born in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, on April 13, 1884, of Irish descent. She died on October 5, 1952, in Glendale, California.[10]

    Stage

    Gloria Blondell said that she first went on stage when she was 9 months old, and she was described as "a trouper at three [years of age]."[3] Her family comprised a vaudeville troupe, the "Bouncing Blondells", whose members were her parents, her sister and her brother.[11] In 1935, she appeared in the Broadway production of Three Men on a Horse at the Playhouse in New York City.[12]

    Radio

    Gloria Blondell was a popular featured actress during the Golden Age of Radio. Blondell had the role of secretary Jerry Booker on I Love a Mystery.[13] Her appearances on radio include The Adventures of Philip Marlowe; Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar; Lux Radio Theatre; Arch Oboler's Plays; Richard Diamond, Private Detective; Screen Directors Playhouse, and The Great Gildersleeve.

    Film

    Blondell co-starred with Ronald Reagan in Accidents Will Happen (1938)[14] and with Hans Conried in The Twonky (1953).[15] She was also in Daredevil Drivers (1938)[16] and Three Sappy People (1939).

    Television

    In her television performances, Blondell may be best remembered for her role as Honeybee Gillis in the 1950s sitcom starring William Bendix, The Life of Riley. She was cast in that series opposite Tom D'Andrea as her husband, Jim Gillis. She appeared in the I Love Lucy episode "The Anniversary Present" (1952).

    She portrayed an aging prostitute who rescues a town from a trio of criminals in "The Looters", an episode of Wanted Dead or Alive.

    Voice-over

    For Daisy Duck's second appearance as a Disney cartoon character, she took over, marking the debut of Daisy's "normal" voice. Blondell would voice Daisy for six of her nine speaking appearances during the classic shorts era.

    Personal life

    She married film producer Albert R. Broccoli on July 26, 1940; they divorced August 7, 1945.[17] The following year, on September 14, she married Victor Hunter in Monterey, California.[18] They remained married until his death in 1980, just weeks after her sister's death.[19] Gloria and Victor had one daughter, who was born prematurely and died at birth. During the child's delivery, Gloria also nearly died from blood loss, but her life was saved by an emergency hysterectomy.[19]: 148 

    Death

    Blondell died at age 70 in 1986 in Santa Monica, California from cancer. Her body was cremated.[1]

    Filmography
    Year Title Role Notes
    1938Daredevil DriversLucy McAuliffe aka Lucy Mack
    1938Accidents Will HappenPatricia Carmody
    1938Four's a CrowdLansford's 1st Secretary
    1938Juvenile CourtGary's SecretaryUncredited
    1938The Spider's WebChase's SecretarySerial, Uncredited
    1938The Lady ObjectsGraceUncredited
    1941Model WifeGloriaUncredited
    1952Don't Bother to KnockJanie – Cafe PhotographerUncredited
    1953White LightningAnn Garfield
    1953The TwonkyLady Bill Collector
    1957God Is My PartnerTree Critic / WifeUncredited

    References
    1. Wilson, Scott (2016). Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons (3rd ed.). McFarland. ISBN 978-1476625997 – via Google Books.
    2. "Joan Blondell's Sister in Film". Harrisburg Telegraph. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. April 30, 1938. p. 8. Retrieved October 25, 2018 – via Newspapers.com. open access
    3. Belser, Emily (February 2, 1956). "Gloria Blondell Finding Sister's Shadow A Burden". Corsicana Daily Sun. p. 19.
    4. "[Unknown]". The Republic. Columbus, Indiana. October 7, 1971. p. 26. Archived from the original on February 16, 2018. The Katzenjammer Kids will be presented in Franklin this evening, the company having passed through here this morning on the way to that place. "Eddie Blondell's true name is Levi Bluestein, and he was a resident of Columbus many years ago, living with his father at the foot of Washington Street
    5. "[Unknown]". The Republic. Columbus, Indiana. January 29, 1906. p. 1. Archived from the original on February 16, 2018. No allowance was made for alimony, but Mrs. Blondell seemed to be satisfied. The Blondells, who in private life were Mr. and Mrs. Levi Bluestein, have been annoyed by a case of incompatibility of temper for a long time. They were formerly a member of Katzenjammer Kids' company...
    6. "Blondell and Fennessy's hurricane of fun and frolic, The Katzenjammer Kids". loc.gov. United States Library of Congress. Archived from the original on February 16, 2018. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
    7. "[Unknown]". Variety. November 1916. Archived from the original on March 18, 2017. Rowland & Clifford, a western producing firm, have also a production in preparation under the title of 'The Katzenjammer Kids', securing the rights from Blondell & Fennessy. Both shows are scheduled to play over the International, with the Hill production to be ready by Jan. 1.
    8. Kennedy, Matthew (2009). Joan Blondell: A Life Between Takes. University Press of Mississippi. ISBN 978-1628461817 – via Google Books.
    9. "Grave Spotlight – Joan Blondell". cemeteryguide.com. Archived from the original on January 2, 2016. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
    10. The Republic. Columbus, Indiana. January 21, 1903. p. 8 Archived February 16, 2018, at the Wayback Machine
    11. Rathbun, Joe (December 10, 1944). "Joe's Radio Parade". Sunday Times Signal. p. 23. Retrieved May 1, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. open access
    12. "Three Men on a Horse – Broadway Play – Original | IBDB".
    13. Clark, Ethel (April 5, 1942). "Ethel Clark's Radio Flashes". The Ogden Standard-Examiner. p. 35. Retrieved May 1, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. open access
    14. "Theater Calendar". The Decatur Daily Review. April 24, 1938. p. 20. Retrieved May 1, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. open access
    15. "The Movie Reporter Speaks". The Hearne Democrat. October 16, 1953. p. 15. Retrieved May 1, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. open access
    16. "Joan Blondell's Sister in Film". Harrisburg Telegraph. April 30, 1938. p. 8. Retrieved May 1, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. open access
    17. "Gloria Blondell Granted Divorce". Kingsport News. August 8, 1945. p. 3. Retrieved May 1, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. open access
    18. "Gloria Blondell Wed To Advertising Man". The San Bernardino County Sun. September 15, 1946. p. 17. Retrieved May 1, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. open access
    19. Kennedy, Matthew (2007). Joan Blondell, a life between takes. University Press of Mississippi. p. 144. ISBN 978-1578069613.
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