Jo Ann Sayers
Encyclopedia
Jo Ann Sayers is an American
actress who was active in Broadway
and in Hollywood films. Her film career spanned the 1930s through the 1950s.
. She was a budding actress as a child, participating in dances, taking piano and violin lessons, and acting in school plays. She enrolled in Pre-law
at the University of Washington
, also taking drama classes. A talent scout noted her in a student production and invited her to Hollywood for a screen test. She was offered a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
. Her first credited film role was in 1938.
In 1940, she was selected for the titular role in the Broadway production of My Sister Eileen, opposite Shirley Booth
, who was two decades Sayers' senior, which opened on 26 December 1940. She remained in the Broadway cast until June 1942, when she left to marry Anthony A. Bliss (1913-1991), a New York lawyer and patron of the performing arts. They were married on June 10, 1942, but later divorced.
Sayers later worked in summer theater, radio and television. She married a second time. She and her second husband remained together until his death in Princeton, New Jersey
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actress who was active in Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
and in Hollywood films. Her film career spanned the 1930s through the 1950s.
Biography
Sayers was born as Miriam Lucille Lilygren in Seattle, WashingtonSeattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
. She was a budding actress as a child, participating in dances, taking piano and violin lessons, and acting in school plays. She enrolled in Pre-law
Pre-law
In the United States, pre-law refers to any course of study taken by an undergraduate in preparation for study at a law school.The American Bar Association requires law schools that it approves to require at least a bachelor's degree for North American students for admission...
at the University of Washington
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
, also taking drama classes. A talent scout noted her in a student production and invited her to Hollywood for a screen test. She was offered a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. is an American media company, involved primarily in the production and distribution of films and television programs. MGM was founded in 1924 when the entertainment entrepreneur Marcus Loew gained control of Metro Pictures, Goldwyn Pictures Corporation and Louis B. Mayer...
. Her first credited film role was in 1938.
In 1940, she was selected for the titular role in the Broadway production of My Sister Eileen, opposite Shirley Booth
Shirley Booth
Shirley Booth was an American actress.Primarily a theatre actress, Booth's Broadway career began in 1925. Her most significant success was as Lola Delaney, in the drama Come Back, Little Sheba, for which she received a Tony Award in 1950...
, who was two decades Sayers' senior, which opened on 26 December 1940. She remained in the Broadway cast until June 1942, when she left to marry Anthony A. Bliss (1913-1991), a New York lawyer and patron of the performing arts. They were married on June 10, 1942, but later divorced.
Sayers later worked in summer theater, radio and television. She married a second time. She and her second husband remained together until his death in Princeton, New Jersey
Princeton, New Jersey
Princeton is a community located in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States. It is best known as the location of Princeton University, which has been sited in the community since 1756...
.
Selected filmography
- Main Street to BroadwayMain Street to BroadwayMain Street to Broadway is a 1953 MGM musical comedy starring Tom Morton and Mary Murphy about an aspiring playwright who hopes to stage a Broadway production starring Tallulah Bankhead...
(1953) (uncredited) .... Bride in Musical Number - The Man With Nine LivesThe Man with Nine Lives (film)The Man with Nine Lives is a 1940 mystery film directed by Nick Grinde and starring Boris Karloff.-Cast:* Boris Karloff - Dr. Leon Kravaal* Roger Pryor - Dr. Tim Mason* Jo Ann Sayers - Judith Blair* Stanley Brown - Bob Adams...
(1940) .... Nurse Judith Blair - Drunk DrivingDrunk Driving (film)Drunk Driving is a 1939 short drama film directed by David Miller. It was nominated for an Academy Award at the 12th Academy Awards in 1940 for Best Live Action Short Film, Two-Reel.-Cast:* Dick Purcell as John Jones* Jo Ann Sayers as Mrs. Jones...
(1939) .... Mrs. Jones - The WomenThe Women (1939 film)The Women is a 1939 American comedy-drama film directed by George Cukor. The film is based on Clare Boothe Luce's play of the same name, and was adapted for the screen by Anita Loos and Jane Murfin, who had to make the film acceptable for the Production Code in order for it to be released.The film...
(1939) (uncredited) .... Debutante - Fast and LooseFast and Loose (1939 film)Fast and Loose is a 1939 American thriller film directed by Edwin L. Marin and starring Robert Montgomery, Rosalind Russell and Reginald Owen. It was a sequel to the 1938 film Fast Company...
(1939) .... Christina 'Chris' Torrent - Honolulu (1939) .... Nurse
- Young Dr. KildareYoung Dr. KildareYoung Dr. Kildare is a 1938 film starring Lew Ayres as an idealistic but somewhat immature young medical doctor, who benefits greatly from the wise counsel of his mentor, Dr. Gillespie, a seasoned older physician. This was the second of a total of ten Dr...
(1938) .... Barbara