Cathy O'Donnell
Biography
Cathy O'Donnell was an American actress known for her roles in film-noir movies. Born on July 6, 1923, in Siluria, Alabama, USA, she began her acting career under contract with Samuel Goldwyn. Her debut was in an uncredited role as a nightclub extra in Wonder Man (1945). O'Donnell's first major role was in The Best Years of Our Lives (1946), playing Wilma Cameron. She was also featured in They Live by Night (1949), a classic of the noir genre, alongside Farley Granger. Throughout her career, O'Donnell appeared in numerous films, with a total of 26 known credits.
Career overview
Cathy O'Donnell began her acting career in the film industry, making her debut in an uncredited role as a nightclub extra in Wonder Man. She gained her first major role in The Best Years of Our Lives, playing the part of Wilma Cameron, the high-school sweetheart of Homer Parrish.
O'Donnell was loaned out to RKO for the film They Live by Night, which is widely considered a classic of the noir genre. This film is listed as one of the top ten noir films by the Guardian. The film starred O'Donnell alongside Farley Granger.
Cathy O'Donnell's acting credits include 26 films, with her work spanning multiple genres, including film-noir movies. Her early career was marked by notable roles in prominent films, showcasing her talent and versatility as an actress.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full filmography
- Tate (1960)
- The Rebel (1959) as Prudence Gant
- The Rebel (1959) as Felicity Bowman
- The Detectives (1959)
- Ben-Hur (1959) as Tirzah
- My World Dies Screaming (1958) as Sheila Wayne Tierney (as Kathy O'Donnell)
- Perry Mason (1957) as Norma Brooks
- Sugarfoot (1957) as Angel
- The Story of Mankind (1957) as Early Christian Woman
- The Deerslayer (1957) as Judith Hutter
- Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre (1956) as Jennie Parsons
- Matinee Theater (1955)
- The Man from Laramie (1955) as Barbara Waggoman
- Mad at the World (1955) as Anne Bennett
- Climax! (1954) as Mona Herbert
- Loves of Three Queens (1954) as Enone (segment: The Face That Launched a Thousand Ships)
- Eight O'Clock Walk (1954) as Jill Manning
- The Woman's Angle (1952) as Nina van Rhyne
- Detective Story (1951) as Susan Carmichael
- Never Trust a Gambler (1951) as Virginia Merrill
- The Miniver Story (1950) as Judy Miniver
- Side Street (1950) as Ellen Norson
- Lights Out (1949)
- They Live by Night (1949) as Catherine "Keechie" Mobley
- The Amazing Mr. X (1948) as Janet Burke
- Bury Me Dead (1947) as Rusty
- The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) as Wilma Cameron