A talented actress and screenwriter, best known for her iconic role as Grandma Walton on the popular TV series "The Waltons".
Ellen Corby is perhaps best known for her iconic portrayal of Esther "Grandma" Walton on the beloved CBS television series The Waltons, a role that earned her three Emmy Awards. Her remarkable career spanned over five decades, with a plethora of film and television credits to her name, including a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award nomination.
Born Ellen Hansen on June 3, 1911, in Racine, Wisconsin, Corby grew up in Philadelphia with immigrant parents from Denmark. Her interest in amateur theater was sparked in high school, leading her to Atlantic City in 1932, where she briefly worked as a chorus girl. She soon made her way to Hollywood, securing a job as a script girl at RKO Studios and Hal Roach Studios, where she often worked on Our Gang comedies alongside her future husband, cinematographer Francis Corby.
Corby's early film career saw her take on bit parts in over 30 films in the 1930s and 1940s, including Babes in Toyland (1934) and It's a Wonderful Life (1946). Her first credited acting role was in RKO's Cornered (1945), followed by an uncredited brief speaking role as a kitchen cook in The Locket (1946).
As a writer, Corby worked on the Western Twilight on the Trail (1941) at Paramount studios. Her breakthrough performance as a lovelorn aunt in I Remember Mama (1948) earned her an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress.
Over the next four decades, Corby worked extensively in film and television, typically portraying maids, secretaries, waitresses, or gossips, often in Westerns. She had a recurring role as Henrietta Porter, a newspaper publisher, in Trackdown. Corby also appeared as the elderly Mrs. Lesh, the crooked car peddler, on CBS's The Andy Griffith Show, and guest-starred on various shows, including Wagon Train, Cheyenne, The Guns of Will Sonnett, Dragnet, and The Rifleman.
Ellen Corby's remarkable career serves as a testament to her dedication, perseverance, and talent. Her iconic portrayal of Grandma Walton has become an integral part of American television history, and her numerous film and television credits have left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry.
Corby's legacy extends beyond her on-screen presence, inspiring generations of actors, writers, and filmmakers. Her remarkable journey, marked by resilience and determination, continues to inspire and captivate audiences to this day.
Corby married cinematographer Francis Corby in 1934, and the couple remained together until his death in 1956. She passed away on April 14, 1999, leaving behind a rich legacy in the world of film and television.
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