June Walker

June Walker (June 14, 1900 – February 3, 1966) was an American stage and film actress.

June Walker
Walker in 1920
Born(1900-06-14)June 14, 1900
New York City, U.S.
DiedFebruary 3, 1966(1966-02-03) (aged 65)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)Stage, film, television actress
SpouseGeoffrey Kerr
ChildrenJohn Kerr
For the American activist and former Hadassah leader, see June Walker (Hadassah)

Early years

Walker was born in New York City on June 14, 1900, and was orphaned when she was 14. She worked as a millinery clerk before becoming an actress.[1]

Stage career

Walker performed as a member of the chorus of a Globe Theater production of Hitchy-Koo when she was 16 years old.[1]

She appeared on Broadway in such plays as Green Grow the Lilacs, The Farmer Takes a Wife, and Twelfth Night.[2] She was the first actress to portray the character of Lorelei Lee, in the 1926 Broadway production of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Her obituary in The New York Times said the role "was as much her creation as that of Anita Loos who wrote the book that became the comedy ..."[1] The success of the play launched Walker's career, and she had further Broadway successes. She played Linda Loman to Thomas Mitchell's Willy in the 1949 touring company of Death of a Salesman and also toured, performing in the role of Vinnie, in Life with Father.

For four weeks in 1924 Walker appeared as the Leading Lady in the Summer Stock cast at Elitch Theatre. She appeared in: The Changelings, by Lee Wilson Dood; Rolling Home, by John Hunter Booth; The New Poor, by Cosmo Hamilton; and Across the Street, by Richard A. Purdy.[3][4]

Film career

Walker acted in silent films for Essanay Studios and in sound films, including A Child Is Waiting, Through Different Eyes, The Unforgiven, and War Nurse.[5]

Personal life

In 1926, she married British actor Geoffrey Kerr. The couple divorced in 1943; their son was actor John Kerr.[6] She appeared with her son in a 1954 episode of NBC's Justice. It was his first acting engagement.

Death

On February 3, 1966, aged 65, Walker died of undisclosed causes at her son's home in Los Angeles.[1] She was interred in the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles.

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1921CoincidencePhoebe HowardLost film
1930War NurseBabs
1942Thru Different EyesMargie
1960The UnforgivenHagar Rawlins
1961The Tom Ewell ShowMadgeSeason 1 Episode 20: "Storm Over Shangri-La"
1961Whispering SmithMa GatesSeason 1 Episode 2: "The Grudge"
1961My Three SonsAnnieSeason 2 Episode 10: "Mike in Charge"
1961ThrillerDierdre PennaroydSeason 2 Episode 9: "A Third for Pinochle"
1961Alfred Hitchcock PresentsMrs. Millie WrightSeason 7 Episode 12: "A Jury of Her Peers"
1963A Child Is WaitingMrs. McDonaldUncredited
1963The Alfred Hitchcock HourMrs. WalesSeason 1 Episode 20: "The Paragon"
1964The Alfred Hitchcock HourAunt Mary JaneSeason 3 Episode 1: "The Return of Verge Likens"

References
  1. "June Walker, 65, first Lorelei Lee". The New York Times. February 5, 1966. p. 29. ProQuest 117232727. Retrieved November 5, 2020.
  2. "June Walker". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on November 6, 2020. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  3. "1924 – Historic Elitch Theatre". hetden.org. Retrieved 2024-01-21.
  4. Levy, Edwin Lewis (1960). Elitch's Gardens, Denver, Colorado: A History of the Oldest Summer Theatre in the United States (1890 - 1941) (Thesis). Columbia University.
  5. Willis, John (June 1983). Screen World 1967. Biblo & Tannen Publishers. p. 240. ISBN 978-0-8196-0308-1. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  6. McFarlane, Brian (2016). The Encyclopedia of British Film: Fourth edition. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9781526111968. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
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