| Hedda Hopper | |
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 Hedda Hopper in 1929 |
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| Born | Elda Furry May 2, 1885 Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | February 1, 1966 (aged 80) Hollywood, California, U.S. |
| Spouse(s) | DeWolf Hopper (1913-1922) |
Hedda Hopper (May 2, 1885 – February 1, 1966) was an American actress and gossip columnist, whose long-running feud with friend turned arch-rival Louella Parsons became at least as notorious as many of Hopper's columns. Events 1194 - King Richard I of England gives Portsmouth its first Royal Charter. Year 1885 ( MDCCCLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Hollidaysburg is a borough in Blair County, Pennsylvania, on the Juniata River, south of Altoona. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Events 1327 - Teenaged Edward III is crowned King of England, but the country is ruled by his mother Queen Year 1966 ( MCMLXVI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the De Wolf Hopper ( March 30, 1858 – September 23, 1935) was an American Actor, Singer, Comedian, Events 1194 - King Richard I of England gives Portsmouth its first Royal Charter. Year 1885 ( MDCCCLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Events 1327 - Teenaged Edward III is crowned King of England, but the country is ruled by his mother Queen Year 1966 ( MCMLXVI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the An actor, actress, player or thespian (see terminology) is a person who Acts in a Dramatic production and who works A gossip columnist is someone who writes a gossip column in a Newspaper or Magazine, especially a gossip magazine. Louella Parsons ( August 6, 1881 &ndash December 9, 1972) was an American Gossip columnist.
Early life
She was born Elda Furry in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, the daughter of David and Margaret Furry, who were Quakers. Hollidaysburg is a borough in Blair County, Pennsylvania, on the Juniata River, south of Altoona. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ( often colloquially referred to as PA (its abbreviation by natives and Northeasterners is a state located in the Northeastern
Her siblings included Dora Furry (born March 1880); Sherman Furry (born June 1882); Cameron Furry (born September 1887); Edgar Furry (April 20, 1889-November 1975); Frank M. Furry (born August 1891); and Margaret Furry (born July 1897).
The family moved to nearby Altoona when Elda was three. Altoona is a city in Blair County, Pennsylvania, United States. Her father was a butcher who owned a shop. She eventually ran away to New York and began her career as a chorus line dancer on the Broadway stage. The City of New York Career is a term defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as an individual's "course or progress through life (or a distinct portion of life" A chorus line is a substantial group of Dancers who together perform Synchronized routines usually in Musical theatre. Dance (from French danser, perhaps from Frankish) is an Art form that generally refers to movement of the body usually rhythmic Broadway theater, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 39 large professional theaters with 500 seats or more located Theatre (or theater, see spelling differences) is the branch of the Performing arts defined by Bernard Beckerman as what "occurs when one After a few years, she joined the theatre company of matinee idol DeWolf Hopper, whom she called "Wolfie. De Wolf Hopper ( March 30, 1858 – September 23, 1935) was an American Actor, Singer, Comedian, "
In her words, "Dancing came easy to me. And in singing, what my voice lacked in quality it made up for in volume. " Thus, she remained in the chorus and they toured the country from one end to the other.
While in the Hopper company, she realized that chorus and understudy jobs were not acting. An understudy is a theatrical term for someone who learns the lines and blocking/choreography of a leading actor or actress in a theatrical play. She wanted to act, and she knew she would have to prove herself before she could hope to get anywhere in the theatre. Hearing that Edgar Selwyn was casting his play The Country Boy for a road tour, she went to his office and talked him into letting her audition for the lead. A play, or stageplay, is a form of Literature written by a Playwright, almost always consisting of Dialogue between Fictional characters She was given the role and the show toured for thirty-five weeks through forty-eight states.
She studied singing during the summer and, in the fall, went out with The Quaker Girl in the second lead, the prima donna role. Originally used in Opera companies " prima donna " is Italian for "first lady" The show closed in Albany. Albany is the Capital of the State of New York and the County seat of Albany County.
On May 8, 1913 she married DeWolf Hopper in New Jersey. Events 589 - Reccared summons the Third Council of Toledo 1450 - Jack Cade's Rebellion: Kentishmen Year 1913 ( MCMXIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common New Jersey ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. They had one child, the actor William Hopper, best known for playing Paul Drake in the Perry Mason series. William Hopper ( January 26, 1915 – March 6, 1970) was an American Actor. Paul Drake may refer to Paul Drake (fictional detective Paul Drake suspect in the Disappearance of Shannon Matthews Perry Mason is an Emmy -winning American TV series that ran from 1957 to 1966. They were divorced on January 20, 1924. Events 250 - Emperor Decius begins a widespread persecution of Christians in Rome. Year 1924 ( MCMXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
Elda Hopper paid a numerologist $10 to tell her what name she should use, and the answer was Hedda. Numerology is any of many Systems Traditions or Beliefs in a mystical or Esoteric relationship between Numbers and physical
Career
Hopper began acting in silent movies in 1915. Her motion picture debut was in Battle of Hearts (1916). She appeared in more than 120 movies over the following twenty-three years, usually portraying distinguished-looking society women.
As her movie career waned in the mid-1930s, Hopper looked for other sources of income. In 1937, she was offered the chance of a lifetime and embarked on a career doing something she was quite adept at: gossip. Gossip is idle talk or Rumor, especially about the personal or private affairs of others She began writing a gossip column for a Los Angeles newspaper. A gossip columnist is someone who writes a gossip column in a Newspaper or Magazine, especially a gossip magazine. Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West A newspaper is a written Publication containing News, information and Advertising, usually printed on low-cost paper called Newsprint.
After years of struggling as an actress, she had finally found her niche. She christened the home she purchased in Beverly Hills "The House That Fear Built. " She then had a notorious feud with the long-established Louella Parsons, who had been friendly to her in print and to whom she had sometimes passed information. Louella Parsons ( August 6, 1881 &ndash December 9, 1972) was an American Gossip columnist. Hopper and Parsons became arch-rivals competing fiercely, and often nastily, for the title "Queen of Hollywood", although those who knew both declared that Hopper was the more sadistic, surprising given Hopper's Quaker background.
ZaSu Pitts compared Hopper to "a ferret", and pointed out that she should not have been surprised her (Hedda's) own movie career did not pan out. ZaSu Pitts ( January 3, &ndash June 7,) (ˈzeɪsuː ˈpɪts was an American Film Actress who starred in many silent The ferret is a domestic Mammal of the type Mustela putorius furo.
Known for her gossipy comments and movie star interviews, Hopper debuted as host of her own radio program, The Hedda Hopper Show, November 6, 1939. For other uses including various songs titled "Movie Star" see Movie star (disambiguation. Radio programming is the content that is broadcast by Radio stations The original inventors of radio such as Nikola Tesla and Guglielmo Events 355 - Roman Emperor Constantius II promotes his cousin Julian to the rank of Caesar, entrusting him with Year 1939 ( MCMXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. It was sponsored by Sunkist on CBS three times a week for fifteen minutes. Sunkist Growers Incorporated is a Citrus grower's non-stock membership Cooperative comprised of 6000 members from California and Arizona. CBS Broadcasting Inc ( CBS) is an American radio and Television network.
From October 2, 1944 to September 3, 1945, Armour Treet sponsored the once a week program. Events 1187 - Siege of Jerusalem: Saladin captures Jerusalem after 88 years of Crusader rule Year 1944 ( MCMXLIV) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 36 BC - In the Battle of Naulochus, Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, Admiral of Octavian, defeats Sextus Pompeius Year 1945 ( MCMXLV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar Treet is a canned meat product similar to SPAM, that is marketed under the brand name Armour Star by the On September 10, 1945, it changed to ABC, again sponsored by Armour once a week, and ran until June 3, 1946. Events 506 - The Bishops of Visigothic Gaul meet in the Council of Agde. Year 1945 ( MCMXLV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar The American Broadcasting Company ( ABC) is an American Television network. Events 350 - Roman usurper Nepotianus, of the Constantinian dynasty, proclaims himself Roman Emperor, entering Year 1946 ( MCMXLVI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
Hopper moved back to CBS October 5, 1946, with a once a week, fifteen minute program titled This Is Hollywood, which was sponsored by Procter & Gamble. Events 869 - The Fourth Council of Constantinople is convened to decide about what to do about Patriarch Photius of Constantinople Year 1946 ( MCMXLVI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Procter & Gamble Co ( P&G,) is a Fortune 500, American global corporation based in Cincinnati Ohio, that manufactures a wide It ran until June 28, 1947. Events 1098 - Fighters of the First Crusade defeat Kerbogha of Mosul. Year 1947 ( MCMXLVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The last season on the air had a change to thirty minutes and also changed to NBC. The National Broadcasting Company ( NBC) is an American Television network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's
From October 14, 1950 to November 11, 1950 on Saturdays, then from November 19, 1950 to May 20, 1951 on Sundays, she was heard hosting a program that contained music, talk, and dramatized excerpts from movies with a variety of the biggest names in the industry. Events 1066 - Norman Conquest: Battle of Hastings - In England on Senlac Hill seven miles from Hastings, the forces Year 1950 ( MCML) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 308 - The Congress of Carnuntum: Attempting to keep peace within the Roman Empire, the leaders of the Tetrarchy declare Year 1950 ( MCML) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1095 - The Council of Clermont, called by Pope Urban II to discuss sending the First Crusade to the Holy Land Year 1950 ( MCML) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 325 - The First Council of Nicaea &ndash the first Ecumenical Council of the Christian Church is held Year 1951 ( MCMLI) was a Common year starting on Monday. Events of 1951 January She also did a television spot. A television program (US television programme (UK or television show (U
She was noted for her hats, considered her trademark, mostly because of her unusual taste for large, flamboyant ones. She was known for hobnobbing with the biggest names in the industry, for getting a "scoop" before almost anyone else most of the time, and for being vicious in dealing with those who displeased her, whether intentionally or not. The columnist J. J. Hunsecker, played by Burt Lancaster in the film Sweet Smell of Success, is said to have been inspired partly by Hopper. Burton Stephen "Burt" Lancaster ( 2 November &ndash 20 October) was an American film Actor and star noted for his athletic physique Sweet Smell of Success is a 1957 American Film noir made by Hill-Hecht-Lancaster Productions and released by United Artists
Hopper courted controversy as well for "naming names" of suspected or alleged Communists during the Hollywood Blacklist. "Hollywood Ten" redirects here For the 1950 short documentary film see The Hollywood Ten.
She tried to "out" Cary Grant and Randolph Scott as gay lovers, but Grant was too big a star even for her to touch. Randolph Scott ( January 23, 1898 – March 2, 1987) was an American motion picture actor whose career spanned from 1928 In the English language, gay is an Adjective that in modern usage refers to Homosexuality. She also spread the gossip that Michael Wilding and Stewart Granger had been intimate. Michael Wilding (23 July 1912 &ndash 8 July 1979 was an English Actor. Stewart Granger ( May 6, 1913 &ndash August 16, 1993) born James Lablache Stewart, was an English film Actor
Hopper also had several acting roles during the latter part of her career, including a brief cameo appearance as herself in the movie Sunset Boulevard (1950), and another on a 1955 episode of TV's I Love Lucy. A cameo role or cameo appearance (often shortened to just cameo) is a brief appearance of a known person in a work of the Performing arts, such as Sunset Boulevard is a 1950 American Film noir classic Directed and co-written by Billy Wilder, it was named The year 1955 in television involved some significant eventsBelow is a list of Television -related events in 1955. I Love Lucy is an American Situation comedy, starring Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance and William Frawley Also, The Beverly Hillbillies(1964), where she played herself. The Beverly Hillbillies is an American Television series about a Hillbilly family transplanted to Beverly Hills California after finding
On January 10, 1960, a TV special, Hedda Hopper's Hollywood, aired on NBC. Events 49 BC - Julius Caesar crosses the Rubicon, signaling the start of civil war. Year 1960 ( MCMLX) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The National Broadcasting Company ( NBC) is an American Television network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Hosted by Hopper, guest interviews included an extremely eclectic mix of then-current and former stars: Lucille Ball (a friend of Hopper), Francis X. Bushman, John Cassavetes, Robert Cummings, Marion Davies, Walt Disney, Janet Gaynor, Bob Hope, Hope Lange, Anthony Perkins, Debbie Reynolds, James Stewart, and Gloria Swanson. Lucille Ball (August 6 1911 – April 26 1989 was an American comedienne, film television stage and radio Actress, model, film Francis Xavier Bushman ( January 10, 1883 &ndash August 23, 1966) was an American film actor John Nicholas Cassavetes ( December 9, 1929 – February 3, 1989) was an American Actor, Screenwriter, and director Robert Cummings ( June 10, 1908 – December 2, 1990) also known as Bob Cummings, was an American Motion picture Marion Davies ( January 3, 1897 &ndash September 22, 1961) was an American film Actress. Walter Elias Disney (December 5 1901 – December 15 1966 was a multiple Academy Award -winning American Film producer, director, Screenwriter Janet Gaynor ( October 6, 1906 &ndash September 14, 1984) was an American actress. Bob Hope, KBE KCSG ( May 29, 1903 &ndash July 27, 2003) was an American comedian and actor who appeared in Hope Elise Ross Lange ( November 28, 1933 &ndash December 19, 2003) was an Academy Award-nominated American stage film and Anthony Perkins ( April 4, 1932 – September 12, 1992) was an Academy Award -nominated Golden Globe -winning American Mary Frances "Debbie" Reynolds (born April 1, 1932) is an Academy Award -nominated American actress, Singer James Maitland Stewart (20 May 1908 – 2 July 1997 popularly known as Jimmy Stewart, was an American Film and stage Actor Gloria Swanson (March 27 1899 – April 4 1983 was an Academy Award -nominated Golden Globe -winning American Hollywood
Her autobiography, From Under My Hat, was published in 1952 by Doubleday & Company. An autobiography, from the Greek αὐτός autos "self" βίος bios "life" and γράφειν graphein "to write" It was followed with The Whole Truth and Nothing But (1963), also published by Doubleday. In 1964, she played herself in the Jerry Lewis comedy The Patsy. Jerry Lewis (born March 16, 1926) is an American Comedian, award-winning actor producer writer and director best-known for his slapstick The Patsy is a 1964 film directed by and starring Jerry Lewis.
Hopper remained active as a writer until her death, producing six daily columns and a Sunday column for the Chicago Tribune syndicate, as well as writing countless articles for celebrity magazines such as Photoplay. A writer is anyone who creates a written work although the word usually designates those who write creatively or professionally as well as those who have written in many different forms The Chicago Tribune is a major daily Newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, United States, and owned by the Tribune Company A celebrity is a widely-recognized or famous person who commands a high degree of public and media attention Magazines, periodicals or serials are Publications generally published on a regular schedule containing a variety of articles, generally Photoplay can also refer to a type of novel popular during the silent era of Hollywood
She died of double pneumonia at the age of 80 in Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Hollywood. She is buried at Rose Hill Cemetery, Altoona, Pennsylvania. Altoona is a city in Blair County, Pennsylvania, United States.
Hopper has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6313 1/2 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood. The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a Sidewalk along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street in Hollywood Los Angeles California, USA, that
External links
The Internet Broadway Database ( IBDB) is an online Database of Broadway theatre productions and their personnelDapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic