Nora Bennett Schilling, a remarkable individual, was born in the charming city of Chester, Illinois. Her formative years were spent in the vicinity of St. Louis, where she received her education. Prior to pursuing a career in the entertainment industry, she gained experience as a model. Her life took a dramatic turn when she visited a friend in California, where she was discovered by a prominent figure in the film industry. Impressed by her talent, she was offered a screen test, which she successfully passed. Adopting the stage name Lane, she began landing small roles in silent films in 1927.
Throughout her 17-year tenure in the film industry, Nora Lane appeared in an impressive array of over 80 movies. Some of her most notable works include her portrayal of Zerelda in Jesse James (1927),Sally in The Cisco Kid (1931),the cunning role of Goldie in Western Frontier (1935),and her supporting part in Jimmy the Gent (1934),starring James Cagney and Bette Davis. Her versatility as an actress was further showcased through her appearances in four Hopalong Cassidy films, including two roles as the widowed ranch owner, Nora Blake.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Nora Lane was an exceptional swimmer, earning numerous awards for her prowess in the water. Her personal life was marked by a significant event in 1931, when she, along with fellow actors Warner Baxter and Edmund Lowe, was involved in a Southern Pacific train crash 20 miles east of Yuma, Arizona. Miraculously, the trio escaped without injury.
In 1941, Nora Lane married Burdette Henney and subsequently retired from the film industry in 1944. The couple enjoyed a happy marriage until tragedy struck in 1948. During a fishing trip in Bishop, California, Nora's husband, Burdette, suffered a sudden heart attack, leaving her devastated. Exactly one month later, on October 16, Nora Lane took her own life, leaving behind a note for her step-son, expressing her inability to continue living without her beloved husband.
