Madeleine Carroll

Birth Name:

Edith Madeleine Carroll

Birth Place:

West Bromwich, West Midlands, England, United Kingdom

Profession

Actress

Converted her French chateau into an orphanage in 1940 and devoted much time to it during World War II
Was inducted into the French Legion of Honor for her overseas work during World War II
Was the first woman in the U․S․ to volunteer for the Red Cross program that enlisted women as nursing aides, and for her efforts, she earned the civilian Medal of Freedom from the U․S
Earned her B․A․ from the University of Birmingham
Taught in a girls' public school for a time before becoming a star
At the peak of her success in 1938, she earned $250,000, making her the highest paid actress in the world at the time
Director Alfred Hitchcock immortalized her as his first icy blonde heroine when she starred in "The 39 Steps․"
After helping to form a production company, she made several two-reel documentaries to promote better understanding among the peoples of the world
Born in the United Kingdom, she became a naturalized American citizen in 1943
Conducted a radio program fostering friendship between France and America after World War II

Fast Facts