Helen Wood (actress)

Helen Wood (1917-1988) 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 and other adult films as "Dolly Sharp".

Helen Wood
Wood in 1935
Born(1917-06-04)June 4, 1917
Clarksville, Tennessee, US
DiedFebruary 8, 1988(1988-02-08) (aged 70)
Burbank, California, US
OccupationActress
Years active1933–1949
SpouseEarl Henriksen

Biography

Wood was born in Clarksville, Tennessee, to Edwin Wood (who worked in real estate and insurance) and Hazel Case.[1] She had a younger sister, Mary Martha.[2]

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.[3]

She reportedly spent $4,000 on a vocal coach who helped her drop her Southern accent.[4] 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.[1] On-screen, she was frequently paired with actor Thomas Beck.[5] Supposedly she had to back out of a big role due to an illness early on in her career.[3]

She worked in radio after her on-screen roles dried up in the late 1930s. In 1942, she married Earl Henriksen.

Selected filmography

References
  1. "Helen Wood in the Race for 3 at Stardom". The Leaf-Chronicle. November 30, 1935. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  2. "Staton Buys Wood Agency; Wood to Leave". The Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle. September 1, 1943. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  3. 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.
  4. "Briefs About Film Stars Here This Week". The Indianapolis Star. December 17, 1936. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  5. Percy, Eileen (August 6, 1936). "Helen Wood and Tom Beck Teamed Up for Third Time". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved September 9, 2019.


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