Nancy Olson

Nancy Olson

96 · Born: Jul 14, 1928

Personal Details

BornJul 14, 1928 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
Spouse
  • Alan Livingston

    ( Sep 1, 1962 to Mar 13, 2009 )
  • Alan Jay Lerner

    ( Mar 19, 1950 to Nov 1, 1957 )
Parents
  • Evelyn Bertha Bergstrom
  • Henry John Olson
Relatives
  • Shirley Mitchell (Sibling)
  • David Henry Olson (Sibling)

Biography

Nancy Ann Olson was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Henry, a physician, and Evelyn Olson. She received her education at the University of Wisconsin before being discovered on stage in California, where she was signed by Paramount Studios in 1948.

Olson's early film career included an uncredited bit part in Portrait of Jennie (1948) and co-starring roles in Canadian Pacific (1949) and Sunset Boulevard (1950),for which she received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Her pairing with William Holden in Sunset Boulevard went so well that they were teamed in a series of standard features, including Union Station (1950),Force of Arms (1951),and Submarine Command (1951). She also co-starred with John Wayne, Steve Forrest, and Will Rogers Jr. in other films.

However, Olson's career slowed down in the mid-1950s after she married renowned lyricist Alan Jay Lerner. She put her acting career on hold to raise their two daughters and the couple divorced in 1957.

Olson returned to acting in the early 1960s, playing Fred MacMurray's love interest in The Absent Minded Professor (1961) and Son of Flubber (1962) for Disney Studios. She also appeared in Pollyanna (1960) and Snowball Express (1972),as well as an uncredited cameo in the Flubber (1997) remake.

In addition to her film work, Olson found success on Broadway, starring in plays such as The Tunnel of Love, Send Me No Flowers, and Mary, Mary. She also appeared in a few TV shows in the 1970s and 1980s before retiring in the mid-1980s.

Olson's second marriage, to record executive Alan Livingston, lasted over 47 years until his death in 2009. The couple had a son, Christopher Livingston, who has worked in the film industry as a director, editor, cinematographer, producer, and actor.

Career

{"id":4290,"title":"Flubber","year":"1997","character":"Secretary at Ford Motor Company","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/flubber","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/7n8ovpkkcti0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/7n8ovpkkcti0.jpg"},"released":1}
1997
Flubber
Flubber as Secretary at Ford Motor Company
{"id":160958,"title":"Sparky's Magic Piano","year":"1987","character":"","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/sparkys-magic-piano-1987","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_160958.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_160958.jpg"},"released":1}
1987
{"id":8506,"title":"Paper Dolls","year":1984,"character":"Marjorie Harper","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/paper-dolls","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_8506.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_8506.jpg"},"released":1}
1984
Paper Dolls
Paper Dolls as Marjorie Harper
{"id":6934,"title":"Making Love","year":"1982","character":"Christine","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/making-love","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1g5pgv6301p0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1g5pgv6301p0.jpg"},"released":1}
1982
Making Love
Making Love as Christine
{"id":64508,"title":"Airport 1975","year":"1974","character":"Mrs. Abbott","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/airport-1975","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/24h4lcn1tqp0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/24h4lcn1tqp0.jpg"},"released":1}
1974
Airport 1975
Airport 1975 as Mrs. Abbott
{"id":14645,"title":"Snowball Express","year":"1972","character":"Sue Baxter","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/snowball-express","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_14645.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_14645.jpg"},"released":1}
1972
Snowball Express
Snowball Express as Sue Baxter
{"id":35842,"title":"Smith!","year":"1969","character":"Norah Smith","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/smith","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_35842.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_35842.jpg"},"released":1}
1969
Smith!
Smith! as Norah Smith
{"id":22565,"title":"Son of Flubber","year":"1963","character":"Betsy Brainard","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/son-of-flubber","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_22565.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_22565.jpg"},"released":1}
1963
Son of Flubber
Son of Flubber as Betsy Brainard
{"id":22560,"title":"The Absent Minded Professor","year":"1961","character":"Betsy Carlisle","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-absent-minded-professor","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/5htunme3srn0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/5htunme3srn0.jpg"},"released":1}
1961
{"id":22334,"title":"Pollyanna","year":"1960","character":"Nancy Furman","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/pollyanna","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/7p9cgcpnq5k0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/7p9cgcpnq5k0.jpg"},"released":1}
1960
Pollyanna
Pollyanna as Nancy Furman
{"id":174064,"title":"Ford Star Jubilee","year":"1956","character":"Judith","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/ford-star-jubilee","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_174064.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_174064.jpg"},"released":1}
1956
{"id":67176,"title":"Battle Cry","year":"1955","character":"Mrs. Pat Rogers","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/battle-cry","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/72l75ku73r00.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/72l75ku73r00.jpg"},"released":1}
1955
Battle Cry
Battle Cry as Mrs. Pat Rogers
{"id":33697,"title":"The Boy from Oklahoma","year":"1954","character":"Katie Brannigan","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-boy-from-oklahoma","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_33697.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_33697.jpg"},"released":1}
1954
The Boy from Oklahoma
The Boy from Oklahoma as Katie Brannigan
{"id":67650,"title":"So Big","year":"1953","character":"Dallas O'Mara","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/so-big","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_67650.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_67650.jpg"},"released":1}
1953
So Big
So Big as Dallas O'Mara
{"id":67694,"title":"Big Jim McLain","year":"1952","character":"Nancy Vallon","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/big-jim-mclain","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_67694.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_67694.jpg"},"released":1}
1952
Big Jim McLain
Big Jim McLain as Nancy Vallon
{"id":94944,"title":"Submarine Command","year":"1951","character":"Carol","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/submarine-command","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_94944.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_94944.jpg"},"released":1}
1951
{"id":14903,"title":"Force of Arms","year":"1951","character":"Lt. Eleanor Mackay","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/force-of-arms","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_14903.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_14903.jpg"},"released":1}
Force of Arms
Force of Arms as Lt. Eleanor Mackay
{"id":18592,"title":"Sunset Blvd.","year":"1950","character":"Betty Schaefer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/sunset-blvd","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/6kpmg8ibsct0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/6kpmg8ibsct0.jpg"},"released":1}
1950
Sunset Blvd.
Sunset Blvd. as Betty Schaefer
{"id":14871,"title":"Union Station","year":"1950","character":"Joyce Willecombe","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/union-station","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_14871.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_14871.jpg"},"released":1}
Union Station
Union Station as Joyce Willecombe
{"id":68696,"title":"Mr. Music","year":"1950","character":"Katherine Holbrook","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/mr-music","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_68696.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_68696.jpg"},"released":1}
Mr. Music
Mr. Music as Katherine Holbrook
{"id":188540,"title":"Canadian Pacific","year":"1949","character":"Cecille Gautier","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/canadian-pacific","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_188540.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_188540.jpg"},"released":1}
1949
Canadian Pacific
Canadian Pacific as Cecille Gautier
{"id":69239,"title":"Portrait of Jennie","year":"1948","character":"Teenager in Art Gallery","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/portrait-of-jennie","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/5452mbl5b3u0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/5452mbl5b3u0.jpg"},"released":1}
1948
Portrait of Jennie
Portrait of Jennie as Teenager in Art Gallery
{"id":153992,"title":"'Sunset Blvd.': A Look Back","year":"2002","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/sunset-blvd-a-look-back-2002","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_153992.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_153992.jpg"},"released":1}
2002
{"id":215504,"title":"Fred MacMurray: The Guy Next Door","year":"1996","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/fred-macmurray-the-guy-next-door","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_215504.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_215504.jpg"},"released":1}
1996
{"id":172981,"title":"The Making of 'My Fair Lady'","year":"1995","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-making-of-my-fair-lady-1995","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_172981.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_172981.jpg"},"released":1}
1995