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Donna Reed

Birth Name:
Donna Belle Mullenger
Birth Place:
Denison, Iowa, United States
Profession
Actress, Soundtrack
Donna Reed

Fast Facts

  • Served as co-chair on Another Mother for Peace, an advocacy group against the Vietnam War
  • Sued the producers of "Dallas" for breach of contract after being abruptly fired following Barbara Bel Geddes' decision to return to the show as Miss Ellie Ewing
  • Was elected campus queen during her second year at Los Angeles City College, earning her the attention of Hollywood when she was asked to audition for three film studios
  • Quote: "[on acting after "The Donna Reed Show" ended] "I just wouldn't do the junk I was offered․ I didn't like the way films were treating women․ Most of the roles were extremely passive - women in jeopardy, poor stupid souls who couldn't help themselves․""
  • Became well-known for her eight-season run on "The Donna Reed Show," the first series to prominently star a woman in a housewife-type role
  • Best known for playing Mary Hatch in "It's a Wonderful Life" and Lorene Burke in "From Here to Eternity․"
  • Personally wrote letters to servicemen who were serving overseas during World War II and saved more than 300 of the letters she received
  • Was originally billed as Donna Adams before MGM decided against the name in the early 1940s

Awards

  • 1942Photoplay Award - Best Performances of the Month (May):Winner
  • 1947Photoplay Award - Best Performances of the Month (March):Winner
  • 1949Photoplay Award - Best Performances of the Month (November):Winner
  • 1954Oscar - Best Actress in a Supporting Role:Winner
  • 1954Golden Laurel - Top Female Dramatic Performance:Nominated
  • 1959Primetime Emmy - Best Actress in a Leading Role (Continuing Character) in a Comedy Series:Nominated
  • 1960Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Series (Lead or Support):Nominated
  • 1961Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Series (Lead):Nominated
  • 1962Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Series (Lead):Nominated
  • 1963Golden Globe - Best TV Star - Female:Winner
  • 2004TV Land Award - Irreplaceable Replacement:Nominated
  • 2006TV Land Award - The Most Irreplaceable Replacement:Nominated
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