Dana Andrews Biography

Fast Facts

• Elected as the president of the Screen Actors Guild in 1963
• After moving to Huntsville, Texas, during his teen years, he would go on to attend Sam Houston State University in the same town
• Traveled to California after college seeking a career as a singer where he would eventually land a job at the Pasadena Playhouse
• Quote: "It's not difficult for me to hide emotion, since I've always hidden it in my personal life․"
• After becoming more well-known following several high profile roles in the late '40s, his addiction to alcohol would sidetrack his success starting in the 1950s and beyond
• Signed his first Hollywood contract with Sam Goldwyn who would help him land his first film role "The Westerner" in 1940
• During the height of his success, he publicist requested that his hometown of Collins, Mississippi, change their name to Andrews, however, the city's mayor return with the statement, 'We will not change our name․ Have him change his to Collins․'․"