Lana Turner, American actress (d. 1995)

Lana Turner, born Julia Jean Turner on February 8, 1921, in Wallace, Idaho, and passing on June 29, 1995, was an iconic American actress whose nearly five-decade career left an indelible mark on Hollywood. Her captivating presence and versatile talent propelled her to widespread fame as both a quintessential pin-up model during World War II and a celebrated film actress. Beyond her captivating screen presence, Turner was equally renowned for a highly publicized personal life that frequently captivated public attention and headlines, intertwining her professional success with dramatic narratives off-screen.

By the mid-1940s, she had ascended to become one of the highest-paid actresses in the United States, a true luminary of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). During her remarkable 18-year contract with the legendary studio, her films generated over $50 million, a staggering sum for the era, cementing her status as one of MGM's most bankable stars and a cornerstone of its renowned "star system." Turner remains widely celebrated as a popular culture icon, embodying the very essence of Hollywood glamour and sophisticated style, and is justly remembered as a screen legend of classical Hollywood cinema, particularly for her ability to embody both innocent allure and formidable dramatic presence.

From Humble Beginnings to Hollywood Discovery

Born to working-class parents in northern Idaho, Julia Jean Turner's early life was marked by change and relocation. Following the tragic murder of her father when she was a child, her family moved to San Francisco and later to Los Angeles. It was in 1936, when Turner was merely 15 years old, that her path irrevocably shifted towards stardom. She was famously discovered while purchasing a soda at the Top Hat Malt Shop on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood. The chance encounter with William R. Wilkerson, publisher of The Hollywood Reporter, led to an introduction to talent agent Zeppo Marx and subsequently to a screen test.

At just 16, her raw talent and striking beauty caught the eye of Warner Bros. director Mervyn LeRoy, who signed her to a personal contract. LeRoy became a pivotal mentor, and when he transferred to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) in 1938, he brought Turner with him, recognizing her immense potential. She quickly garnered attention in her film debut, LeRoy's crime drama They Won't Forget (1937), where she played a murder victim whose brief appearance, especially in a tight sweater, famously earned her the "Sweater Girl" nickname – a phenomenon that made her a highly popular pin-up subject during the war years. Initially, she transitioned into supporting roles, often portraying the innocent and naive "ingénue," a stark contrast to the more complex characters she would later embody.

Ascension to Stardom and Iconic Roles

The early 1940s marked Lana Turner's definitive establishment as a leading lady and one of MGM's most prominent stars. Her versatility allowed her to shine across various genres:

Turner's reputation as a glamorous "femme fatale" was profoundly enhanced by her critically acclaimed performance in the film noir masterpiece The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946). Her portrayal of the manipulative and seductive Cora Smith, particularly in her iconic white outfit, solidified her as a serious dramatic actress capable of delivering intense and nuanced performances, moving far beyond her earlier "sweater girl" image and making her a definitive figure of the film noir genre.

Her widespread popularity continued through the 1950s with a string of successful dramas. Notable performances include her role in The Bad and the Beautiful (1952), a critically lauded film exploring the dark side of Hollywood, and the blockbuster melodrama Peyton Place (1957). For her compelling portrayal in Peyton Place, which was both a commercial and critical triumph, she received her first and only Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, a testament to her enduring talent and ability to connect with audiences.

Personal Tribulations and Triumphant Comebacks

Lana Turner's life off-screen was often as dramatic as her film roles, reaching an intense peak in 1958. Intense media scrutiny and public fascination surrounded the actress when her teenage daughter, Cheryl Crane, stabbed Turner's lover, mobster Johnny Stompanato, to death in their Beverly Hills home during a domestic struggle. The ensuing highly publicized inquest ruled the killing a justifiable homicide, with Crane claiming she acted to protect her mother from Stompanato's violent outburst. This traumatic event, though devastating personally, paradoxically fueled public interest in Turner, showcasing her resilience under extreme duress.

Following this profound personal crisis, Turner delivered one of the greatest commercial successes of her career with the Douglas Sirk melodrama Imitation of Life (1959). This poignant film, dealing with themes of race, identity, and motherhood, resonated deeply with audiences, becoming Universal Pictures' highest-grossing film at the time and proving a spectacular box office comeback for Turner. Her starring role in Madame X (1966) further solidified her dramatic prowess, earning her the prestigious David di Donatello Award for Best Foreign Actress, an international recognition of her enduring talent.

Turner spent most of the 1970s in semi-retirement, making her final film appearance in the horror film Witches' Brew (1980). However, she experienced a notable late-career resurgence in 1982 when she accepted a much-publicized and lucrative recurring guest role in the popular prime-time soap opera Falcon Crest. Her appearance as the sophisticated and manipulative Jacqueline Perrault afforded the series notably high ratings, introducing her iconic glamour to a new generation of television viewers. In 1992, Lana Turner was diagnosed with throat cancer and, after a courageous battle, she died from the disease three years later at the age of 74, leaving behind a legacy as one of Hollywood's most enduring and captivating stars.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lana Turner

Who was Lana Turner and why was she famous?
Lana Turner was an American actress who achieved fame in the Golden Age of Hollywood, particularly from the 1940s to the 1960s. She was famous for her striking beauty, versatility as a film actress, her iconic "Sweater Girl" and "femme fatale" roles, and a highly publicized personal life that often made headlines, including the tragic 1958 incident involving her daughter.
How was Lana Turner discovered?
Lana Turner was famously discovered at the age of 15 while buying a soda at the Top Hat Malt Shop in Hollywood. She was spotted by William R. Wilkerson, the publisher of The Hollywood Reporter, which led to her being signed by Warner Bros. director Mervyn LeRoy.
What were some of Lana Turner's most iconic films?
Among her most iconic films are They Won't Forget (1937), which earned her the "Sweater Girl" nickname; the film noir classic The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946), where she excelled as a femme fatale; the acclaimed drama The Bad and the Beautiful (1952); the Academy Award-nominated Peyton Place (1957); and her highly successful comeback film, the melodrama Imitation of Life (1959).
Why was Lana Turner's personal life so publicized?
Lana Turner's personal life was highly publicized due to her numerous marriages (eight in total), high-profile relationships, and particularly the sensational 1958 incident where her teenage daughter, Cheryl Crane, stabbed Turner's then-lover, Johnny Stompanato, to death. This event became one of the most widely reported celebrity scandals of its time.
What was the "Sweater Girl" image associated with Lana Turner?
The "Sweater Girl" image emerged from Lana Turner's brief but memorable appearance in her debut film, They Won't Forget (1937), where she wore a tight-fitting sweater. This look emphasized her figure and contributed to her popularity as a pin-up girl during World War II, making her an immediate sensation.