Winnie Lightner, affectionately dubbed "Broadway's Song a Minute Girl" due to her remarkable ability to belt out a song in under 60 seconds, was a talented performer whose brassy, outgoing style effortlessly transitioned to the big screen with the advent of sound.
Her early success in Warner's Vitaphone shorts quickly catapulted her to stardom, and she soon became a top Warner star. The 1929 film "Gold Diggers of Broadway" was a triumphant showcase for Lightner's talents, and the all-technicolor extravaganza "The Life of the Party" solidified her status as a major film star.
Despite her initial success, Warner Brothers began to assign Lightner more mawkish roles, and by 1933, she found herself playing second fiddle to A-list stars like Joan Crawford at MGM.
Lightner's personal life was also marked by significant events, including her marriage to director Roy Del Ruth, whom she met while he was directing "Gold Diggers." She brought her son, Richard Lightner (who later changed his name to Lightner),from a previous marriage into the union, and the couple went on to have a son of their own, Thomas, who would grow up to become a renowned cinematographer in Hollywood.
After departing the film industry, Lightner seemingly distanced herself from her past fame, rarely speaking of her days in the spotlight and preferring to keep a low profile. Her marriage to Del Ruth remained strong, and the couple rarely entertained their Hollywood peers in their home.
Winnie Lightner passed away in 1971, and she is buried alongside her husband, Roy, at the Mission San Fernando in southern California.
