Joan Davis

Joan Davis

Deceased · Born: Jun 29, 1912 · Died: May 22, 1961

Personal Details

BornJun 29, 1912 St. Paul, Minnesota, USA

Biography

Noted comedian, renowned for her captivating on-screen presence, made a significant impact in the entertainment industry during the 1940s, initially gracing the airwaves with her witty remarks on radio broadcasts. As the medium evolved, she seamlessly transitioned to early television, showcasing her versatility and comedic prowess.

One of her most notable roles was starring in the beloved television series, "I Married Joan" (1952),alongside the talented Jim Backus as her husband and her real-life daughter, Beverly Wills, as her sister. This iconic show not only cemented her status as a household name but also served as a testament to her remarkable ability to effortlessly blend her personal and professional life.

Tragically, Joan's life was cut short when she succumbed to a sudden heart attack in 1961. The entertainment world was left reeling from the devastating loss, and her legacy was forever altered. Just two years later, a catastrophic fire claimed the lives of her mother, daughter, and two grandsons, leaving behind a trail of heartbreak and unanswered questions.

Career

{"id":198500,"title":"The Sound of Laughter","year":"1963","character":"Jennie Kurtz (Hillbilly Singer)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-sound-of-laughter","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_198500.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_198500.jpg"},"released":1}
1963
The Sound of Laughter
The Sound of Laughter as Jennie Kurtz (Hillbilly Singer)
{"id":96554,"title":"Harem Girl","year":"1952","character":"Susie Perkins","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/harem-girl","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_96554.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_96554.jpg"},"released":1}
1952
Harem Girl
Harem Girl as Susie Perkins
{"id":11269,"title":"I Married Joan","year":1952,"character":"Joan Stevens","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/i-married-joan","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_11269.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_11269.jpg"},"released":1}
I Married Joan
I Married Joan as Joan Stevens
{"id":68407,"title":"The Groom Wore Spurs","year":"1951","character":"Alice Dean","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-groom-wore-spurs","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_68407.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_68407.jpg"},"released":1}
1951
{"id":174553,"title":"The Traveling Saleswoman","year":"1950","character":"Mabel King","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-traveling-saleswoman","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_174553.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_174553.jpg"},"released":1}
1950
{"id":82795,"title":"Love That Brute","year":"1950","character":"Mamie Sage","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/love-that-brute","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_82795.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_82795.jpg"},"released":1}
Love That Brute
Love That Brute as Mamie Sage
{"id":174662,"title":"Make Mine Laughs","year":"1949","character":"(archive footage)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/make-mine-laughs","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_174662.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_174662.jpg"},"released":1}
1949
Make Mine Laughs
Make Mine Laughs as (archive footage)
{"id":69388,"title":"If You Knew Susie","year":"1948","character":"Susie Parker","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/if-you-knew-susie","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_69388.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_69388.jpg"},"released":1}
1948
If You Knew Susie
If You Knew Susie as Susie Parker
{"id":175029,"title":"She Wrote the Book","year":"1946","character":"Jane Featherstone","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/she-wrote-the-book","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_175029.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_175029.jpg"},"released":1}
1946
She Wrote the Book
She Wrote the Book as Jane Featherstone
{"id":95075,"title":"George White's Scandals","year":"1945","character":"Joan Mason","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/george-whites-scandals","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_95075.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_95075.jpg"},"released":1}
1945
{"id":95065,"title":"She Gets Her Man","year":"1945","character":"Jane 'Pilky' Pilkington","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/she-gets-her-man-1945","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_95065.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_95065.jpg"},"released":1}
She Gets Her Man
She Gets Her Man as Jane 'Pilky' Pilkington
{"id":82972,"title":"Show Business","year":"1944","character":"Joan Mason","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/show-business","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_82972.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_82972.jpg"},"released":1}
1944
Show Business
Show Business as Joan Mason
{"id":82967,"title":"Beautiful But Broke","year":"1944","character":"Dottie Duncan","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/beautiful-but-broke","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_82967.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_82967.jpg"},"released":1}
Beautiful But Broke
Beautiful But Broke as Dottie Duncan
{"id":175254,"title":"Kansas City Kitty","year":"1944","character":"Polly Jasper","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/kansas-city-kitty","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_175254.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_175254.jpg"},"released":1}
Kansas City Kitty
Kansas City Kitty as Polly Jasper
{"id":175431,"title":"Two Se\u00f1oritas from Chicago","year":"1943","character":"Daisy Baker","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/two-senoritas-from-chicago","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_175431.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_175431.jpg"},"released":1}
1943
{"id":70893,"title":"Around the World","year":"1943","character":"Joan Davis","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/around-the-world","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_70893.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_70893.jpg"},"released":1}
Around the World
Around the World as Joan Davis
{"id":187297,"title":"He's My Guy","year":"1943","character":"Madge Donovan","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/hes-my-guy-1943","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_187297.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_187297.jpg"},"released":1}
He's My Guy
He's My Guy as Madge Donovan
{"id":83008,"title":"Yokel Boy","year":"1942","character":"Molly Malone","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/yokel-boy","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_83008.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_83008.jpg"},"released":1}
1942
Yokel Boy
Yokel Boy as Molly Malone
{"id":71280,"title":"Sweetheart of the Fleet","year":"1942","character":"Phoebe Weyms","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/sweetheart-of-the-fleet","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_71280.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_71280.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":71062,"title":"Sun Valley Serenade","year":"1941","character":"Miss Carstairs","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/sun-valley-serenade","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_71062.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_71062.jpg"},"released":1}
1941
Sun Valley Serenade
Sun Valley Serenade as Miss Carstairs
{"id":175628,"title":"Two Latins from Manhattan","year":"1941","character":"Joan Daley","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/two-latins-from-manhattan","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_175628.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_175628.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":71671,"title":"Hold That Ghost","year":"1941","character":"Camille Brewster","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/hold-that-ghost","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/7c1ntvhkatq0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/7c1ntvhkatq0.jpg"},"released":1}
Hold That Ghost
Hold That Ghost as Camille Brewster
{"id":175649,"title":"For Beauty's Sake","year":"1941","character":"Dottie Nickerson","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/for-beautys-sake-1941","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_175649.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_175649.jpg"},"released":1}
For Beauty's Sake
For Beauty's Sake as Dottie Nickerson
{"id":204887,"title":"Free, Blonde and 21","year":"1940","character":"Nellie","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/free-blonde-and-21","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_204887.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_204887.jpg"},"released":1}
1940
{"id":175725,"title":"Sailor's Lady","year":"1940","character":"Myrtle","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/sailors-lady-1940","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_175725.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_175725.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":175749,"title":"Manhattan Heartbeat","year":"1940","character":"Edna Higgins","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/manhattan-heartbeat","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_175749.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_175749.jpg"},"released":1}
Manhattan Heartbeat
Manhattan Heartbeat as Edna Higgins
{"id":72302,"title":"Tail Spin","year":"1939","character":"Babe Dugan","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/tail-spin","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_72302.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_72302.jpg"},"released":1}
1939
Tail Spin
Tail Spin as Babe Dugan
{"id":72174,"title":"Too Busy to Work","year":"1939","character":"Lolly","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/too-busy-to-work","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_72174.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_72174.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":72260,"title":"Day-Time Wife","year":"1939","character":"Miss Applegate","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/day-time-wife","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_72260.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_72260.jpg"},"released":1}
Day-Time Wife
Day-Time Wife as Miss Applegate
{"id":72589,"title":"Just Around the Corner","year":"1938","character":"Kitty","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/just-around-the-corner","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_72589.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_72589.jpg"},"released":1}
1938
{"id":72684,"title":"Josette","year":"1938","character":"May Morris","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/josette","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_72684.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_72684.jpg"},"released":1}
Josette
Josette as May Morris
{"id":72716,"title":"Hold That Co-ed","year":"1938","character":"Lizzie Olsen","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/hold-that-co-ed","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_72716.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_72716.jpg"},"released":1}
Hold That Co-ed
Hold That Co-ed as Lizzie Olsen
{"id":72800,"title":"Sally, Irene and Mary","year":"1938","character":"Irene Keene","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/sally-irene-and-mary","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_72800.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_72800.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":72990,"title":"Thin Ice","year":"1937","character":"Orchestra Leader","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/thin-ice","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_72990.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_72990.jpg"},"released":1}
1937
Thin Ice
Thin Ice as Orchestra Leader
{"id":73081,"title":"Angel's Holiday","year":"1937","character":"Strivers","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/angels-holiday-1937","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_73081.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_73081.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":83207,"title":"On the Avenue","year":"1937","character":"Miss Katz","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/on-the-avenue","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_83207.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_83207.jpg"},"released":1}
On the Avenue
On the Avenue as Miss Katz
{"id":73272,"title":"Love and Hisses","year":"1937","character":"Joan Dolan","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/love-and-hisses","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_73272.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_73272.jpg"},"released":1}
Love and Hisses
Love and Hisses as Joan Dolan
{"id":73148,"title":"Wake Up and Live","year":"1937","character":"Comic Spanish Dancer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/wake-up-and-live","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_73148.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_73148.jpg"},"released":1}
Wake Up and Live
Wake Up and Live as Comic Spanish Dancer
{"id":73208,"title":"Life Begins in College","year":"1937","character":"Inez","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/life-begins-in-college","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_73208.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_73208.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":73302,"title":"The Great Hospital Mystery","year":"1937","character":"Flossie Duff","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-great-hospital-mystery","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_73302.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_73302.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":83251,"title":"You Can't Have Everything","year":"1937","character":"Girl in YWCA (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/you-cant-have-everything-1937","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_83251.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_83251.jpg"},"released":1}
You Can't Have Everything
You Can't Have Everything as Girl in YWCA (uncredited)
{"id":83261,"title":"Bunker Bean","year":"1936","character":"Mabel - Bunker's Secretary (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/bunker-bean","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_83261.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_83261.jpg"},"released":1}
1936
Bunker Bean
Bunker Bean as Mabel - Bunker's Secretary (uncredited)