Contents
Judy Holliday
Playing Billie Dawn in Born Yesterday
Born Yesterday · Bells Are Ringing
- Born
- 21 June 1921
- Birthplace
- New York City
- Died
- 7 June 1965
More people
Judy Holliday
Judy Holliday developed a comic persona on nightclub stages before becoming a Broadway and film star. Her performances combined apparent innocence with sharp timing and emotional intelligence.
Early life
New York beginnings
Grew up in Queens, attended Julia Richman High School and worked at the Mercury Theatre’s switchboard.
Career
- 1938
The Revuers
Joined a nightclub group with Betty Comden and Adolph Green.
- 1946
Broadway breakthrough
Played Billie Dawn in Born Yesterday.
- 1950
Screen success
Repeated the role in the film and won the best-actress Oscar.
Selected work
Born Yesterday
Her best-known screen performance.
Bells Are Ringing
Reprised her Tony-winning musical role on film.
Beyond work
Family
Married clarinetist David Oppenheim and had a son, Jonathan. She later had a long relationship with Gerry Mulligan.
Sources & photo credit
Biography and career ↗Biographical references ↗Original photograph. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
Photo: MGM. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.