Janet Gaynor

Acting

Janet Gaynor

Born October 6, 1906 · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Died September 14, 1984 · aged 77

Janet Gaynor (October 6, 1906 – September 14, 1984) was an American actress and painter. One of the most popular actresses of the silent film era, in 1928 Gaynor became the first winner of the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performances in three films: Seventh Heaven (1927), Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927) and Street Angel (1928). This was the only occasion on which an actress has wo…

Known For

A Star Is BornA Star Is Born · 1937
A Star Is Born
★ 7.21937
MovieDramaRomance
Esther Blodgett is just another starry-eyed farm kid trying to break into the movies. Waitressing at a Hollywood party, she catches the eye of her idol Norman Maine, is sent for a screen test, and before long attains stardom as newly minted Vicki Lester. She and Norman marry, though his career soon dwindles to nothing due to his chronic alcoholism.
Sunrise: A Song of Two HumansSunrise: A Song of Two Humans · 1927
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans
★ 7.81927
MovieDramaRomance
A married farmer falls under the spell of a slatternly woman from the city, who tries to convince him to drown his wife.
Ben-Hur: A Tale of the ChristBen-Hur: A Tale of the Christ · 1925
Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ
★ 7.31925
MovieAdventureDrama
Erstwhile childhood friends, Judah Ben-Hur and Messala meet again as adults, this time with Roman officer Messala as conqueror and Judah as a wealthy, though conquered, Israelite. A slip of a brick during a Roman parade causes Judah to be sent off as a galley slave, his property confiscated and his mother and sister imprisoned. Years later, as a result of his determination to stay alive and his willingness to aid his Roman master, Judah returns to his homeland an exalted and wealthy Roman athlete. Unable to find his mother and sister, and believing them dead, he can think of nothing else than revenge against Messala.
Ladies in LoveLadies in Love · 1936
Ladies in Love
★ 6.51936
MovieRomanceComedy
Three young women in Budapest share living quarters while searching for romance.
7th Heaven7th Heaven · 1927
7th Heaven
★ 7.31927
MovieDramaRomance
In 1910s Paris, a sewer worker disillusioned with Christianity feels his prayers have been answered when he chances upon a street waif and they fall in love.
One More SpringOne More Spring · 1935
One More Spring
★ 6.21935
MovieComedyDrama
Three people live together in the maintenance shed at Central Park as an alternative to living on the streets.
Happy DaysHappy Days · 1929
Happy Days
★ 6.31929
MovieMusic
In Fox's contribution to the all-star revue cycle of early talkies, showboat singer Margie, hearing that the show is in arrears, goes to New York to gather all of the former stars to stage a minstrel show as a benefit.
45 Minutes from Hollywood45 Minutes from Hollywood · 1926
45 Minutes from Hollywood
★ 5.31926
MovieComedy
A young man visiting Hollywood on family business gets into trouble when he sees a bank robbery in progress, and thinks it is a movie scene.

Filmography

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Small Town GirlSmall Town Girl · 1936
Small Town Girl
★ 6.01936
MovieComedyRomance
Kay is a girl living in a small rural town whose life is just too dull and repetitious to bear. One night, she meets young, handsome, and rich Bob Dakin, who asks her for directions while drunk and then proceeds to take her out on a night on the town. Kay likes the stranger, and when the drunken Bob decides that they should get married, Kay hesitates little before consenting. The morning after the affair, Bob, once sober, regrets his mistake. His strict and upright parents, however, insist that the young couple pretend marriage for 6 months before divorcing, in order to avoid bad publicity. Bob resents Kay for standing in the way of him and his fiancée, Priscilla, but Kay still hopes that he'd have a change of heart.

Katherine 'Kay' Brannan