Dorris Bowdon's journey to stardom began when a scout from 20th Century Fox discovered her following her triumphant win at the Miss Memphis 1937 pageant. Alongside fellow ingénues Linda Darnell and Mary Healy, she made the bold decision to venture west to Hollywood, a move that would forever change the trajectory of her life.
Upon her arrival, a friend in the publicity department arranged a meeting with renowned director Nunnally Johnson, who was in the midst of wrapping up the iconic film, The Grapes of Wrath (1940). Johnson, smitten with the radiant beauty, proposed marriage to Dorris, who was 18 years his junior. This union marked the first and only time Dorris experienced marital bliss, having previously been married twice without finding lasting happiness.
The couple remained devoted to one another until Johnson's passing in 1977, during which time they welcomed three children into the world. A remarkable generational gap ensued before their only grandson, Jack Johnson, followed in his family's footsteps, making his acting debut at the tender age of nine in the 1998 film, Lost in Space.
Despite her illustrious career being cut short when she gave up acting to raise her first child in 1943, Dorris continues to command a devoted fan base that has remained loyal throughout the years.
