| Helen Wood | |
|---|---|
 Wood in 1935 | |
| Born | (1917-06-04)June 4, 1917 Clarksville, Tennessee, US |
| Died | February 8, 1988(1988-02-08) (aged 70) Los Angeles, California, US |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1933–1949 |
| Spouses |
|
Helen Wood (June 4, 1917 – February 8, 1988) was an American actress active in film and radio primarily during the 1930s. She is not to be confused with the actress and performer Helen Wood (1935–1998), who later appeared in Deep Throat.
Biography
Wood was born in Clarksville, Tennessee, to Edwin Wood (who worked in real estate and insurance) and Hazel Case. She had a younger sister, Mary Martha.
After winning a beauty contest at Clarksville's Capitol Theatre in 1933 as a teenager, Wood earned a trip to Hollywood, where she was cast in Roman Scandals (1933). She then returned to Clarksville to finish high school. Upon her return to Hollywood after graduation, she signed a contract with MGM.
She reportedly spent $4,000 on a vocal coach who helped her drop her Southern accent. She later signed at 20th Century Fox, where she was made to compete for parts against fellow actresses Rita Hayworth (then Margarita Cansino) and Dixie Dunbar. On-screen, she was frequently paired with actor Thomas Beck. Supposedly she had to back out of a big role due to an illness early on in her career.
She also worked in radio in the late 1930s.
Personal life
In December 1940, Wood married Dr. Alfred Huenergardt; the marriage ended in divorce. In October 1942, she married Dr. Erle Henriksen. She died in Los Angeles on February 8, 1988.
Selected filmography
- Roman Scandals (1933)
- Moulin Rouge (1934)
- Kid Millions (1934)
- Gold Diggers of 1935 (1935)
- Mary Jane's Pa (1935)
- In Caliente (1935)
- Anna Karenina (1935)
- She Married Her Boss (1935)
- The Goose and the Gander (1935)
- A Midsummer Night's Dream (1935)
- My Marriage (1936)
- Champagne Charlie (1936)
- High Tension (1936)
- Charlie Chan at the Race Track (1936)
- Sing, Baby, Sing (1936)
- Can This Be Dixie? (1936)
- Crack-Up (1936)
- Almost a Gentleman (1939)
- Sorority House (1939)
- The Pilgrimage Play (1949)
References
- "U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007". Ancestry.com. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
- ^ "Obituary: Helen Henriksen Wood". The Los Angeles Times. February 10, 1988. p. I-20 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Helen Wood in the Race for 3 at Stardom". The Leaf-Chronicle. November 30, 1935. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
- "Staton Buys Wood Agency; Wood to Leave". The Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle. September 1, 1943. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
- ^ Crow, Charlie (November 23, 1936). "Helen Wood, First Queen of Turkey Day Game Here, Wishes Luck to All of C.H.S." The Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
- "Helen Wood to Wed". Kentucky New Era. December 5, 1940. p. 4 – via Google News Archive.
- "Briefs About Film Stars Here This Week". The Indianapolis Star. December 17, 1936. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
- Percy, Eileen (August 6, 1936). "Helen Wood and Tom Beck Teamed Up for Third Time". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
- "Huenergardt-Wood Vows Said Dec. 30". The Leaf-Chronicle. Clarkesville, Tennessee. January 17, 1941. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com. (subscription required)
- "Selene Walters, Film Star, Marries Doctor". The Times. California, San Mateo. February 11, 1946. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Helen Wood weds in California". The Leaf Chronicle. Clarkesville, Tennessee. October 26, 1942. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com. (subscription required)
- "California, U.S., Death Index, 1940-1997". Ancestry.com. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
External links
- Helen Wood at IMDb