History Creator / JudyHolliday

Known for her high-pitched, dumb blondes, Judy Holliday (born Judith Tuvim, June 21, 1921 – June 7, 1965) was an American stage and film actor who began her career on Broadway (''Kiss Them for Me'') and gained fame as Billie Dawn in the Broadway hit, ''Theatre/BornYesterday'' (1950). Hilariously ironic since Holliday had an IQ of 172, she made a career of playing various [[DumbBlonde dumb blondes]], [[GeniusDitz genius ditzes]], and the like.

She starred in one other Broadway production, ''Hot Spot'', and a play called ''Laurette'', about the influential stage actress Laurette Taylor. The latter play was prematurely closed due to Judy's battle with breast cancer, and she succumbed to the disease on June 7, 1965. She was only 43 years old.

A short film career that spanned only a decade or so, Judy had a supporting role in the Hepburn-Tracy vehicle, ''Film/AdamsRib'' (1949), as the scorned wife, Doris Attinger, to showcase her talents to Creator/ColumbiaPictures studio head, Harry Cohn. It worked, and soon she had a six movie contract with Columbia. Her most famous role came with Creator/GeorgeCukor’s film adaptation of ''Theatre/BornYesterday'' (1950), co-starring Creator/WilliamHolden. She deservedly won an Academy Award for her effort as the clueless, but willing to learn, Billie Dawn. She beat out other renown performances: Creator/GloriaSwanson as Norma Desmond in ''Film/SunsetBoulevard'', and Bette Davis as Margo Channing in ''Film/AllAboutEve''. Not being able to attend the ceremony, Ethel Barrymore accepted her golden statuette for her.

For the rest of the decade, she played similar types of endearing ditzy women, and collaborated with Creator/GeorgeCukor in two other films, ''Film/TheMarryingKind'' (1952) about a couple telling the story of how they divorced (introducing former cop, now actor, Aldo Ray), and ''Film/ItShouldHappenToYou'' (1953) in which Creator/JackLemmon began his movie career. His second feature film was also with Judy, a [[DivorceIsTemporary Comedy of Remarriage]] of two professionals, ''Film/{{Phffft}}'' (1953).

During this time, she was also working on the Comden and Green Broadway musical especially written for her, ''Theatre/BellsAreRinging'', for which she would later win a Tony Award. In 1960, it appeared on the big screen, directed by Creator/VincenteMinnelli. Judy renewed her role as Ella Peterson, a lonely girl who works for an answering service, called Susanswerphone, who decides to change the lives of her clients. It co-stars Creator/DeanMartin as the suave, "sleeping prince", Jeffrey Moss. This was her only colour film (ignoring the last colour shot of ''The Solid Gold Cadillac'') and, unfortunately, last film.

She starred in one other Broadway production, ''Hot Spot'', and a play called ''Laurette'', about the influential stage actress, Laurette Taylor. The latter play was prematurely closed due to Judy's battle with breast cancer, and she succumbed to the disease on June 7, 1965. She was only 43 years old.

Other films include ''The Solid Gold Cadillac'' (1956) where she plays Laura Partridge who takes on a corrupt board of directors, and ''Full of Life'' (1956) where she must accept the differences between her and her father-in-law.

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/judddddyyy11.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350: As spirited and vivacious as they come.]]

For the rest of the decade, she played similar types of endearing ditzy women, and collaborated with Creator/GeorgeCukor in two other films, ''Film/TheMarryingKind'' (1952) about a couple telling the story of how they divorced (introducing former cop, now actor, Aldo Ray), and ''Film/ItShouldHappenToYou'' (1953) in which Creator/JackLemmon began his movie career. His second feature film was also with Judy, a [[DivorceIsTemporary Comedy of Remarriage]] of two professionals, ''Film/{{Phffft}}!'' (1953).

During this time, she was also working on the Comden and Green Broadway musical especially written for her, ''Theatre/BellsAreRinging'', for which she would later win a Tony Award. In 1960, it appeared on the big screen, directed by Creator/VincenteMinnelli. Judy renewed her role as Ella Peterson, a lonely girl who works for an answering service, called Susanswerphone, who decides to change the lives of her clients. It co-stars Creator/DeanMartin as the sauve, "sleeping prince", Jeffrey Moss. This was her only colour film (ignoring the last colour shot of ''The Solid Gold Cadillac'') and, unfortunately, last film.

She starred in one other Broadway production, ''Hot Spot'', and a play called ''Laurette'', about the influential stage actress, Laurette Taylor. The latter play was prematurely closed due to Judy’s battle with breast cancer, and she succumbed to the disease on June 7, 1965.

She was only 43 years old.

For the rest of the decade, she played similar types of endearing ditzy women, and collaborated with Creator/GeorgeCukor in two other films, ''Film/TheMarryingKind'' (1952) about a couple telling the story of how they divorced (introducing former cop, now actor, Aldo Ray), and ''Film/ItShouldHappenToYou'' (1953) in which Creator/JackLemmon began his movie career. His second feature film was also with Judy, a ComedyOfRemarriage of two professionals, ''Film/{{Phffft}}!'' (1953).

Known for her high-pitched, dumb blondes, Judy Holliday (born Judith Tuvim, 1921-1965) was an American stage and film actor who began her career on Broadway (''Kiss Them for Me'') and gained fame as Billie Dawn in the Broadway hit, ''Theatre/BornYesterday'' (1950). Hilariously ironic since Holliday had an IQ of 172, she made a career of playing various [[DumbBlonde dumb blondes]], [[GeniusDitz genius ditzes]], and the like.

A short film career that spanned only a decade or so, Judy had a supporting role in the Hepburn-Tracy vehicle, ''Film/AdamsRib'' (1949), as the scorned wife, Doris Attinger, to showcase her talents to Creator/ColumbiaPictures studio head, Harry Cohn. It worked, and soon she had a six movie contract with Columbia. Her most famous role came with Creator/GeorgeCukor’s film adaptation of ''Theatre/BornYesterday'' (1950), co-starring Creator/WilliamHolden. She deservedly won an Academy Award for her effort as the clueless, but willing to learn, Billie Dawn. She beat out other renown performances: Gloria Swanson as Norma Desmond in ''Film/SunsetBoulevard'', and Bette Davis as Margo Channing in ''Film/AllAboutEve''. Not being able to attend the ceremony, Ethel Barrymore accepted her golden statuette for her.

During this time, she was also working on the Comden and Green Broadway musical especially written for her, ''Theatre/BellsAreRinging'', for which she would later win a Tony Award. In 1960, it appeared on the big screen, directed by Creator/VincenteMinnelli. Judy renewed her role as Ella Peterson, a lonely girl who works for an answering service, called Susanswerphone, and decides to change the lives of her clients. It co-stars Creator/DeanMartin as the sauve, "sleeping prince", Jeffrey Moss. This was her only colour film (ignoring the last colour shot of ''The Solid Gold Cadillac'') and, unfortunately, last film.

But fame came with a price: the 1950s was a difficult time for Judy, as the RedScare ravaged on, many stars found their careers irreparably damaged if they once had Communist leanings, and Judy had had a passing affiliation with the party. People picketed her films, as she was considered a subversive. Judy was called to a hearing from the Senate Internal Security Subcommittee members to testify about her past Communist leanings and her Communist family members (and probably because she was Jewish, too). But, surprisingly, Judy had the backing of Harry Cohn and the best lawyers and publicists the studio could get. What was their advice? Play up your DumbBlonde persona to the committee. And it worked. SISS fell for her ditzy act hook, line, and sinker and didn't bother her again even when she didn't name any names.

But fame came with a price: the 1950s was a difficult time for Judy, as the RedScare ravaged on, many stars found their careers irreparably damaged if they once had Communist leanings, and Judy had had a passing affiliation with the party. People picketed her films, as she was considered a subversive. Judy was called to a hearing from HUAC members to testify about her past Communist leanings and her Communist family members (and probably because she was Jewish, too). But, surprisingly, Judy had the backing of Harry Cohn and the best lawyers and publicists the studio could get. What was their advice? Play up your DumbBlonde persona to the committee. And it worked. HUAC fell for her ditzy act hook, line, and sinker and didn't bother her again even when she didn't name any names.

But fame came with a price: the 1950s was a difficult time for Judy, as the RedScare ravaged on, many stars found their careers irreparably damaged if they once had Communist leanings, and Judy had had a passing affiliation with the party. People picketed her films, as she was considered a subversive. Judy was called to a hearing from HUAC members to testify about her past Communist leanings and her Communist family members (and probably because she was Jewish, too). But, surprisingly, Judy had the backing of Harry Cohn and the best lawyers and publicists the studio could get. What was their advice? Play up your DumbBlonde persona to the committee. And it worked. HUAC fell for her ditzy act hook, line, and sinker and didn't bother her again.

During this time, she was also working on the Comden and Green Broadway musical especially written for her, ''Theatre/BellsAreRinging''. In 1960, it appeared on the big screen, directed by Creator/VincenteMinnelli. Judy renewed her role as Ella Peterson, a lonely girl who works for an answering service, called Susanswerphone, and decides to change the lives of her clients. It co-stars Creator/DeanMartin as the sauve, "sleeping prince", Jeffrey Moss. This was her only colour film (ignoring the last colour shot of ''The Solid Gold Cadillac'') and, unfortunately, last film.

But fame came with a price: the 1950s was a difficult time for Judy, as the RedScare ravaged on, many stars found their careers irreparably damaged if they once had Communist leanings, and Judy had had a passing affiliation with the party. People picketed her films, as she was considered a subversive. Judy was called to a hearing from HUAC members to testify about her past Communist leanings and her Communist family members (and probably because she was Jewish,too). But, surprisingly, Judy had the backing of Harry Cohn and the best lawyers and publicists the studio could get. What was their advice? Play up your DumbBlonde persona to the committee. And it worked. HUAC fell for her ditzy act hook, line, and sinker and didn't bother her again.

But fame came with a price: the 1950s was a difficult time for Judy, as the RedScare ravaged on, many stars found their careers irreparably damaged. Judy was called to a hearing from HUAC members to testify about her past Communist leanings and her Communist family members (and probably because she was Jewish). But, surprisingly, Judy had the backing of Harry Cohn and the best lawyers the studio could get. What was their advice? Play up your DumbBlonde persona. And it worked. HUAC fell for her act hook, line, and sinker and never bothered her again.

But fame came with a price: the 1950s was a difficult time for Judy, as the RedScare ravaged on, many stars found their careers irreparably damaged. Judy was called to a hearing from HUAC members to testify about her past Communist leanings and her Communist family members. But, surprisingly, Judy had the backing of Harry Cohn and the best lawyers the studio could get. What was their advice? Play up your DumbBlonde persona. And it worked. HUAC fell for her act hook, line, and sinker and never bothered her again.

Known for her high-pitched, dumb blondes, '''Judy Holliday''' (born Judith Tuvim, 1921-1965) was an American stage and film actor who began her career on Broadway (''Kiss Them for Me'') and gained fame as Billie Dawn in the Broadway hit, ''Theatre/BornYesterday'' (1950). Hilariously ironic since Holliday had an IQ of 172, she made a career of playing various [[DumbBlonde dumb blondes]], [[GeniusDitz genius ditzes]], and the like.

During this time, she was also working on the Comden and Green Broadway musical especially written for her, ''Theatre/BellsAreRinging''. In 1960, it appeared on the big screen directed by Creator/VincenteMinnelli. Judy renewed her role as Ella Peterson, a lonely girl who works for an answering service, called Susanswerphone, and decides to help change the lives of her clients. It co-stars Creator/DeanMartin as the sauve, "sleeping prince", Jeffrey Moss. This was her only colour film (ignoring the last colour shot of ''The Solid Gold Cadillac'') and, unfortunately, last film.

During this time, she was also working on the Comden and Green Broadway musical especially written for her, ''Theatre/BellsAreRinging''. In 1960, it appeared on the big screen directed by Creator/VincenteMinnelli. Judy renewed her role as Ella Peterson, a lonely girl who works for an answering service, called Susanswerphone, and decides to help change the lives of her clients. It co-stars Creator/DeanMartin as the sauve, "sleeping Prince", Jeffrey Moss. This was her only colour film (ignoring the last colour shot of ''The Solid Gold Cadillac'') and, unfortunately, last film.

During this time, she was also working on the Comden and Green Broadway musical especially written for her, ''Theatre/BellsAreRinging''. In 1960, it appeared on the big screen directed by Creator/VincenteMinnelli. and Judy renewed her role as Ella Peterson, a lonely girl who works for an answering service, called Susanswerphone, and decides to help change the lives of her clients. It co-stars Creator/DeanMartin as the sauve, "sleeping Prince", Jeffrey Moss. This was her only colour film (ignoring the last colour shot of ''The Solid Gold Cadillac'') and, unfortunately, last film.

During this time, she was also working on the Comden and Green Broadway musical especially written for her, ''Theatre/BellsAreRinging''. In 1960, it appeared on the big screen, directed by Creator/VincenteMinnelli and Judy renewing her role as Ella Peterson, a lonely girl who works for an answering service, called Susanswerphone, and decides to help change the lives of her clients. It co-stars Creator/DeanMartin as the sauve, "sleeping Prince", Jeffrey Moss. This was her only colour film (ignoring the last colour shot of ''The Solid Gold Cadillac'') and, unfortunately, last film.

A short film career that spanned only a decade or so, Judy had a supporting role in the Hepburn-Tracy vehicle, ''Film/AdamsRib'' (1949), as the scorned wife, Doris Attinger, to showcase her talents to Creator/ColumbiaPictures studio head, Harry Cohn. It worked, and soon she had a six movie contract with Columbia. Her most famous role came with Creator/GeorgeCukor’s film adaptation of ''Theatre/BornYesterday'', co-starring Creator/WilliamHolden. She deservedly won an Academy Award for her effort as the clueless, but willing to learn, Billie Dawn. She beat out other renown performances: Gloria Swanson as Norma Desmond in ''Film/SunsetBoulevard'', and Bette Davis as Margo Channing in ''Film/AllAboutEve''. Not being able to attend the ceremony, Ethel Barrymore accepted her golden statuette for her.

Known for her high-pitched, dumb blondes, '''Judy Holliday''' (born Judith Tuvim, 1921-1965) was an American stage and film actor who began her career on Broadway (Kiss Them for Me) and gained fame as Billie Dawn in the Broadway hit, ''Theatre/BornYesterday'' (1950). Hilariously ironic since Holliday had an IQ of 172, she made a career of playing various [[DumbBlonde dumb blondes]], [[GeniusDitz genius ditzes]], and the like.

A short film career that spanned only a decade or so, Judy had a supporting role in the Hepburn-Tracy vehicle, ''Film/AdamsRib'' (1949), as the scorned wife, Doris Attinger, to showcase her talents to Creator/Columbia studio head, Harry Cohn. It worked, and soon she had a six movie contract with Columbia. Her most famous role came with Creator/GeorgeCukor’s film adaptation of ''Theatre/BornYesterday'', co-starring Creator/WilliamHolden. She deservedly won an Academy Award for her effort as the clueless, but willing to learn, Billie Dawn. She beat out other renown performances: Gloria Swanson as Norma Desmond in ''Film/SunsetBoulevard'', and Bette Davis as Margo Channing in ''Film/AllAboutEve''. Not being able to attend the ceremony, Ethel Barrymore accepted her golden statuette for her.