History Creator / HelenWalker

Born in Massachussetts, Walker made her feature film debut in the 1942 spy film ''Lucky Jordan'' only a month after arriving in Hollywood (replacing Creator/PauletteGoddard, who dropped out before the film went into production). Walker followed that break with a few prominent and mostly comedic supporting roles in features such as ''The Good Fellows'' (1943), ''Murder, He Says'' (1945), ''Film/BrewstersMillions'' (1945), ''Film/ClunyBrown'' (1946), and what turned out to be her most well-remembered role, as the [[FemmeFatale femme fatale]] [[PsychoPsychologist amoral psychologist]] Lilith Ritter in ''Film/{{Nightmare Alley|1947}} (1947)''.

Against all odds, following the accident Walker continued to act in Hollywood in films such as ''Film/CallNorthside777'' (1948) and ''Impact'' (1949), but her budding career never entirely recovered from the scandal and she made her final big-screen appearance in the FilmNoir, ''The Big Combo'' (1955). A couple of minor television appearances followed before she retired from acting altogether in 1960.

Against all odds, following the accident Walker continued to act in Hollywood in films such as ''Film/CallNorthside777'' (1948) and ''Impact'' (1949), but her budding career never entirely recovered from the scandal and she made her final big screen appearance in the 1955 FilmNoir, ''The Big Combo''. A couple of minor television appearances followed before she retired from acting altogether in 1960.

Against all odds, following the accident Walker continued to act in Hollywood in films such as ''Film/CallNorthside777'' (1948) and ''Impact'' (1949), but her budding career never fully recovered from the scandal and she made her final big screen appearance in the 1955 FilmNoir, ''The Big Combo''. A couple of minor television appearances followed before she retired from acting altogether in 1960.

Against all odds, following the accident Walker continued to act in Hollywood in films such as ''Call Northside 777'' (1948) and ''Impact'' (1949), but her budding career never fully recovered from the scandal and she made her final big screen appearance in the 1955 FilmNoir, ''The Big Combo''. A couple of minor television appearances followed before she retired from acting altogether in 1960.

Born in Massachussetts, Walker made her feature film debut in the 1942 spy film, ''Lucky Jordan'' only a month after arriving in Hollywood, replacing Creator/PauletteGoddard who dropped out before the film went into production. She followed that break with a few prominent and mostly comedic supporting roles in features such as ''The Good Fellows'' (1943), ''Murder, He Says'' (1945), ''Film/BrewstersMillions'' (1945), ''Film/ClunyBrown'' (1946) and what turned out to be her most well known role as the [[FemmeFatale femme fatale]] [[PsychoPsychologist amoral psychologist]] Lilith Ritter in ''Film/NightmareAlley1947''.

Unfortunately, tragedy struck not long after she wrapped filming ''Nightmare Alley'' on December 31, 1946 when she was involved in an automobile accident which would have a drastic effect on her career and rise to stardom. While driving a car owned by director H. Bruce Humberstone (of ''Film/IWakeUpScreaming'' fame), she offered a ride to three hitchhiking soldiers and then crashed into a divider, flipping the car and subsequently causing the death of one of the soldiers. Walker herself and the other two passengers also sustained serious injuries. She was charged with drunk and reckless driving, but was acquitted of both charges and a later charge of manslaughter was also dismissed.

!! Selected Filmography:

* ''Film/BrewstersMillions'' (1945)
* ''Film/ClunyBrown'' (1946)
* ''Film/NightmareAlley1947''
* ''Series/{{Dragnet}}'' (1956)

Born in Massachussetts, Walker made her feature film debut in the 1942 spy film, ''Lucky Jordan'' only a month after arriving in Hollywood, replacing Creator/PauletteGoddard who dropped out before the film went into production. She followed that break with a few prominent and mostly comedic supporting roles in features such as ''The Good Fellows'' (1943), ''Murder, He Says'' (1945), ''Film/BrewstersMillions'' (1945), ''Film/ClunyBrown'' (1946) and what turned out to be her most well known role as the [[FemmeFatale femme fatale]] [[PsychoPsychologist amoral psychologist]] Lilith Ritter in ''Film/NightmareAlley'' (1947).

* ''Film/NightmareAlley'' (1947)

Unfortunately, tragedy struck not long after she wrapped filming ''Nightmare Alley'' on December 31, 1946 when she was involved in an automobile accident which would have a drastic effect on her career and rise to stardom. While driving a car owned by director H. Bruce Humberstone (of ''Film/IWakeUpScreaming'' fame), she offered a ride to three hitchhiking soldiers and then crashed into a divider, flipping the car and subsequently causing the death of one of the soldiers. Walker herself and the other two passengers also sustained serious injuries. She was charged with drunk and reckless driving, but was acquitted of both charges and a later charge of manslaughter was also dismissed at trial.