Betsy Blair

Biography

Betsy Blair -December 11, 1923 – March 13, 2009) was an American actress of film and stage, long based in London. Blair pursued a career in entertainment from the age of eight, and as a child worked as an amateur dancer, performed on radio, and worked as a model, before joining the chorus of Billy Rose's Diamond Horseshoe in 1940. There she met Gene Kelly. They were married the following year, when she was seventeen years old. The couple divorced sixteen years later, in 1957. After work in the theatre, Blair began her film career playing supporting roles in films such as A Double Life (1947) and Another Part of the Forest (1948). Her interest in Marxism led to an investigation by the House Un-American Activities Committee and Blair was blacklisted for some time, but resumed her career with a critically acclaimed performance in Marty (1955), winning a BAFTA Award and a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She continued her career with regular theatre, film and television work until the mid 1990s.

Known For

The Philco Television Playhouse

Great Performances

Tales of the Unexpected

thirtysomething

BBC Play of the Month

Scarlett

All Movies (28)

Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There2003 · as Self
Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer2002 · as Self
Marcus Welby, M.D.: A Holiday Affair1988 · as Grace Simpson
Betrayed1988 · as Gladys Simmons
Suspicion1987 · as Lady McLaidlaw
Descent Into Hell1986 · as Mrs. Burns
Maggie1986 · as Eulene Booker
Flight of the Spruce Goose1986 · as Helen
A Delicate Balance1973 · as Edna
De Bom (of het wanhoopskomitee)1969 · as Vrouw van garagist
Marry Me! Marry Me!1968 · as Second English Teacher
Death of a Salesman1966 · as Linda
Careless1962 · as Amalia Brentani
All Night Long1962 · as Emily
The Dolphins1960 · as Contessa Rita Cherè
Lies My Father Told Me1960 · as Mother
Il Grido1957 · as Elvia
The Halliday Brand1957 · as Martha Halliday
Main Street1956 · as Isabel
Meeting in Paris1956 · as Nancy Blanding
Marty1955 · as Clara Snyder
Kind Lady1951 · as Ada Elcott
No Way Out1950 · as Telephone Operator (uncredited)
Mystery Street1950 · as Jackie Elcott
The Snake Pit1948 · as Hester (uncredited)
Another Part of the Forest1948 · as Birdie Bagtry
A Double Life1947 · as Girl in Wig Shop
The Guilt of Janet Ames1947 · as Katie

All TV Shows (9)

Scarlett1994 · as Sister of Mercy
thirtysomething1987
Tales of the Unexpected1979 · as Mrs Wilbur
Shades of Greene1975 · as Bobbie
Great Performances1971 · as Self
BBC Play of the Month1965 · as Linda
BBC Play of the Month1965 · as Mrs. Winemiller
BBC Play of the Month1965 · as Susan Stringham
The Philco Television Playhouse1948