Bonita Granville
Biography
Bonita Granville was born on February 2, 1923, in New York City, New York, to parents Bernard Granville and Rosina Timponi. An actor from a young age, she began her career on the stage before making her film debut in the 1932 production Westward Passage. Early in her career, she was frequently cast in roles portraying unsympathetic characters. One notable performance was as Mary in the 1936 film These Three, where she played a girl who spread lies about her teachers. This role earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Granville is also widely recognized for her portrayal of the detective and reporter Nancy Drew in a series of films released between 1938 and 1939. She died on October 11, 1988.
Career overview
Bonita Granville was born on February 2, 1923, in New York City to parents Bernard Granville and Rosina Timponi. Born into an acting family, she began her career on the stage before making her film debut at the age of nine in the 1932 production Westward Passage. As a child actor, she frequently portrayed characters described as naughty or unsympathetic. One of her most notable early roles was as Mary in the 1936 film These Three, where she played a girl who spread lies about her teachers. Her performance in this role earned her a nomination for a Best Supporting Actress award.
Granville is perhaps best remembered for her work in the late 1930s, specifically for her portrayal of the detective and reporter Nancy Drew in a series of films released between 1938 and 1939. Throughout her career, she accumulated 68 known acting credits. She passed away on October 11, 1988, at the age of 65.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about Bonita Granville.
Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
71 titles- Hollywood’s Children (1982) as Self
- The Legend of the Lone Ranger (1981) as Woman (uncredited)
- The Magic of Lassie (1978) Producer
- Lassie: Peace Is Our Profession (1972) Producer
- V.I.P. Schaukel (1971) as Self
- Lassie: The Adventures of Neeka (1969) Associate Producer
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self
- The Velvet Alley (1959) as Mrs. Kirkley
- The Lone Ranger (1956) as Welcome Kilgore
- Lassie (1954)
- Lassie (1954) Director
- Climax! (1954) as Laura Jordan
- Climax! (1954) as Molly
- Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1951) as Ellen Morison
- Lux Video Theatre (1950) as Kitty
- Lux Video Theatre (1950) as Joan
- Guilty of Treason (1950) as Stephanie Varna
- Studio One (1948) as Ann
- Strike It Rich (1948) as Julie Ann Brady
- The Guilty (1947) as Estelle Mitchell / Linda Mitchell
- Love Laughs at Andy Hardy (1946) as Kay Wilson
- Breakfast in Hollywood (1946) as Dorothy Larson
- Suspense (1946) as Ronnie
- The Truth About Murder (1946) as Christine Allen
- The Beautiful Cheat (1945) as Alice
- Senorita from the West (1945) as Jeannie Blake
- Song of the Open Road (1944) as Bonnie
- Andy Hardy's Blonde Trouble (1944) as Kay Wilson
- Youth Runs Wild (1944) as Toddy Jones
- Hitler's Children (1943) as Anna Miller
- Now, Voyager (1942) as June Vale
- Soaring Stars (1942) as Passenger
- The Glass Key (1942) as Opal 'Snip' Madvig
- Seven Miles from Alcatraz (1942) as Anne Porter
- Syncopation (1942) as Kit Latimer
- The Wild Man of Borneo (1941) as Francine 'Frankie' Diamond
- The People Vs. Dr. Kildare (1941) as Frances Marlowe
- H.M. Pulham, Esq. (1941) as Mary Pulham
- Down in San Diego (1941) as Betty Haines
- Screen Snapshots Series 21 No. 1 (1941) as Self
- The Mortal Storm (1940) as Elsa
- Escape (1940) as Ursula
- Third Finger, Left Hand (1940) as Vicky Sherwood
- Forty Little Mothers (1940) as Doris
- Gallant Sons (1940) as Kate Pendleton
- Those Were the Days! (1940) as Martha Scroggs
- Angels Wash Their Faces (1939) as Peggy Finnegan
- Nancy Drew... Reporter (1939) as Nancy Drew
- Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase (1939) as Nancy Drew
- Nancy Drew... Trouble Shooter (1939) as Nancy Drew
- Merrily We Live (1938) as Marian Kilbourne
- Nancy Drew… Detective (1938) as Nancy Drew
- Breakdowns of 1938 (1938) as Nancy Drew (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Hard to Get (1938) as Connie Richards
- White Banners (1938) as Sally Ward
- The Beloved Brat (1938) as Roberta Morgan
- My Bill (1938) as Gwen Colbrook
- Quality Street (1937) as Isabella
- It's Love I'm After (1937) as Gracie Kane
- Maid of Salem (1937) as Ann
- Call It a Day (1937) as Ann Hilton
- The Garden of Allah (1936) as Convent Girl (uncredited)
- The Plough and the Stars (1936) as Mollser Gogan
- These Three (1936) as Mary Tilford
- Song of the Saddle (1936) as Jen as a Child
- Ah, Wilderness! (1935) as Mildred Miller
- The Life of Vergie Winters (1934) as Joan Shadwell as a Child (uncredited)
- Cavalcade (1933) as Young Fanny
- Cradle Song (1933) as Carmen (uncredited)
- Westward Passage (1932) as Little Olivia Allen (age 9)
- Silver Dollar (1932) as Liddy (uncredited)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Bonita Granville best known for?
Bonita Granville is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The Legend of the Lone Ranger (1981), Lassie: Peace Is Our Profession (1972), Jack Frost 2: The Revenge of the Mutant Killer Snowman (2000), Lassie: The Adventures of Neeka (1969).
When and where was Bonita Granville born?
Bonita Granville was born on February 2, 1923 in New York City, New York, USA. They passed away on October 11, 1988.
How many credits does Bonita Granville have?
Bonita Granville has accumulated over 71 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1932 to 1982.
What is Bonita Granville's background in cinema and television?
Bonita Granville was born on February 2, 1923, in New York City, New York, to parents Bernard Granville and Rosina Timponi. An actor from a young age, she began her career on the stage before making her film debut in the 1932 production Westward Passage. Early in her career, she was frequently cast in roles portraying ...
Bonita Granville by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- V.I.P. Schaukel (1971) as Self — aged about 48
- Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1951) as Ellen Morison — aged about 28
- These Three (1936) as Mary Tilford — aged about 13
- The People Vs. Dr. Kildare (1941) as Frances Marlowe — aged about 18
- Lux Video Theatre (1950) as Kitty — aged about 27
- Lux Video Theatre (1950) as Joan — aged about 27
What viewers say
No comments yet. Be the first to share your take on Bonita Granville.