Joan Crawford

Joan Crawford, professional name of Lucille LeSueur (c. 1904-1977), American film actress and Academy Award winner, born in San Antonio, Texas. She began her career as a dancer, first on the stage and later in silent films, going on to play the lead in many films from 1925 onwards. During her long career, Crawford appeared in more than 70 films, including Grand Hotel (1932), Rain (1932), No More Ladies (1935), The Women (1939), Sudden Fear (1952), Autumn Leaves (1956), and What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962). For her performance in the title role of Mildred Pierce (1945) she won an Academy Award. Her autobiography, A Portrait of Joan, was published in 1962. Mommie Dearest, an unsympathetic biography by her adopted daughter, Christina Crawford, appeared in 1979.