New York City native Renee Godfrey, born Renee Haal on September 1, 1919, was a stunning beauty with a natural gift for singing. She won the "Miss New York State" contest, and her talent earned her a spot in Danny Kaye's nightclub act in London, where she met her future husband, Peter Godfrey. The couple married in 1941 and had three children, including twins.
Renee's film career began at RKO, where she made her unbilled debut in Kitty Foyle (1940). She appeared in several films, including Let's Make Music (1940),Up in Arms (1944),and Citizen Kane (1941). During World War II, she and her husband entertained troops on USO tours with a vaudeville act.
Renee's career received a boost when her husband became a director at RKO. She appeared in his film Unexpected Uncle (1941) and earned a contract with the studio. However, her Hollywood stock did not improve, and she began to appear in lower-budget films.
In the post-war period, Renee's career picked up briefly, with roles in films such as Bedside Manner (1945),Down Missouri Way (1946),and Winter Wonderland (1946). She also appeared in the Sherlock Holmes film Terror by Night (1946) and the comedy French Leave (1948).
Renee's career slowed down in the 1950s, and she focused on raising her children. She made sporadic appearances on TV, including guest roles on shows such as Loretta Young's and Jane Wyman's programs. In the early 1960s, she tried to make a comeback, appearing in films such as Can-Can (1960),Inherit the Wind (1960),and Tender Is the Night (1962).
Before she could fully revive her career, Renee was diagnosed with cancer. She died at the age of 44 on May 24, 1964, in Los Angeles. Her husband, Peter Godfrey, died in 1970.
