American actress known for her roles in Western films and television shows, particularly in the 1940s and 1950s, starring alongside iconic actors like John Wayne.
Known for her striking beauty and versatility on screen, Joanne Dru was an American film and television actress who left an indelible mark on the Hollywood landscape. With a career spanning over two decades, she is best remembered for her roles in classic Western films such as Red River, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, and Wagon Master.
Born Joan Letitia LaCock on January 31, 1922, in Logan, West Virginia, Dru moved to New York City at the age of 18 to pursue a career in modeling. Her early success in the fashion world caught the attention of Al Jolson, who cast her in his Broadway show Hold On to Your Hats. The stage soon led to the screen, and Dru made her film debut in Abie's Irish Rose (1946).
Dru's breakthrough role came in 1948 with Red River, directed by Howard Hawks and starring John Wayne. Her performance in this classic Western catapulted her to stardom, and she went on to appear in several more notable Westerns, including She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949) and Wagon Master (1950), both directed by John Ford.
Dru's acting range extended far beyond the Western genre. She delivered a critically acclaimed performance in the drama All the Kings Men (1949), which won the Academy Award for Best Picture. She also appeared in the crime noir 711 Ocean Drive (1950) and the comedy 3 Ring Circus (1954), alongside Martin and Lewis.
As her film career began to slow down in the late 1950s, Dru turned her attention to television. She landed the role of Babs Hooten on the ABC sitcom Guestward, Ho! (1960-1961) and continued to make sporadic appearances on TV throughout the 1960s and 1970s. For her contribution to the television industry, Dru was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Dru was the elder sister of Peter Marshall, an actor and singer best known as the original host of the American game show Hollywood Squares. She passed away on September 10, 1996, leaving behind a legacy as a talented and versatile actress who rode the wave of Hollywood's Golden Age.
With a career marked by her stunning beauty, impressive range, and memorable performances, Joanne Dru remains an iconic figure in Hollywood history.
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