Donna Reed
Biography
Donna Reed was an American film and television actress and producer whose career spanned more than forty years, including performances in more than forty films. Born Donna Belle Mullenger on January 27, 1921, she became well known for her role as Mary Hatch Bailey in Frank Capra's 1946 film It's a Wonderful Life. In 1953, she received the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as Lorene Burke in the war drama From Here to Eternity. She is also known for her work in television, notably playing Donna Stone in the sitcom The Donna Reed Show from 1958 to 1966, for which she received numerous Emmy Award nominations and a Golden Globe Award. She passed away on January 14, 1986.
Career overview
Donna Reed was an American film and television actress and producer whose career spanned more than forty years. Born Donna Belle Mullenger on January 27, 1921, she delivered performances in more than forty films. Among her most well known film roles is Mary Hatch Bailey in Frank Capra's 1946 film It's a Wonderful Life. In 1953, she received the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as Lorene Burke in the war drama From Here to Eternity.
In addition to her film work, Reed is known for her work in television. Most notably, she portrayed Donna Stone in the sitcom The Donna Reed Show, which ran from 1958 to 1966. For her work on the series, she received numerous Emmy Award nominations and a Golden Globe Award. Reed passed away on January 14, 1986.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
63 titles- It’s a Wonderful Night of the Living Dead (2026) as Mary Bailey
- Say Hey, Willie Mays! (2022) as Self (archive video)
- Rat Pack (2022) as Self (archive footage)
- Television: The First Fifty Years (1999) as Donna Stone (archive footage)
- Christmas Unwrapped: The History of Christmas (1997) as Mary Bailey (archive footage)
- Intimate Portrait (1993) as Self
- Intimate Portrait (1993) as Self (archive footage)
- James Stewart: A Wonderful Life (1987) as Self (archive footage)
- Deadly Lessons (1983) as Miss Wade
- The Best Place to Be (1979) as Sheila Callahan
- Dallas (1978) as Miss Ellie Southworth Ewing Farlow
- The Love Boat (1977) as Polly Sullivan
- Pepe (1960) as Donna Reed
- The Donna Reed Show (1958) as Donna Stone
- The Whole Truth (1958) as Carol Poulton
- Suspicion (1957) as Letty Jason
- Backlash (1956) as Karyl Orton
- Ransom! (1956) as Edith Stannard
- The Benny Goodman Story (1956) as Alice Hammond
- Beyond Mombasa (1956) as Ann Wilson
- MGM Parade (1955) as Self - Guest
- The Far Horizons (1955) as Sacajawea
- The Last Time I Saw Paris (1954) as Marion Ellswirth
- They Rode West (1954) as Laurie MacKaye
- Three Hours to Kill (1954) as Laurie Mastin
- The Big Moment (1954) as Debbie
- The Oscars (1953) as Self
- From Here to Eternity (1953) as Alma 'Lorene' Burke
- General Electric Theater (1953) as Rayna
- Gun Fury (1953) as Jennifer Ballard
- The Caddy (1953) as Kathy Taylor
- Trouble Along the Way (1953) as Alice Singleton
- Raiders of the Seven Seas (1953) as Alida
- Hangman's Knot (1952) as Molly Hull
- Scandal Sheet (1952) as Julie Allison
- Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder (1952) as Donna Reed
- Saturday's Hero (1951) as Melissa McCabe
- Screen Actors (1950) as Self (uncredited)
- Chicago Deadline (1949) as Rosita Jean D'Ur
- Beyond Glory (1948) as Ann Daniels
- Green Dolphin Street (1947) as Marguerite Patourel
- It's a Wonderful Life (1946) as Mary Hatch
- Faithful in My Fashion (1946) as Jean "Chunky" Kendrick
- They Were Expendable (1945) as Lt. Sandy Davyss
- The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945) as Gladys Hallward
- Twenty Years After (1944) as (archive footage)
- See Here, Private Hargrove (1944) as Carol Holiday
- Gentle Annie (1944) as Mary Lingen
- Sucker Bait (1943) as Geraldine - Waitress
- The Human Comedy (1943) as Bess Macauley
- Thousands Cheer (1943) as Drug Store Customer
- Dr. Gillespie's Criminal Case (1943) as Marcia Bradburn
- The Man from Down Under (1943) as Mary Wilson
- Eyes in the Night (1942) as Barbara Lawry
- The Bugle Sounds (1942) as Sally Hanson
- Apache Trail (1942) as Rosalia Martinez
- Calling Dr. Gillespie (1942) as Marcia Bradburn
- The Courtship of Andy Hardy (1942) as Melodie Nesbit
- Mokey (1942) as Anthea Delano
- Personalities (1942) as (uncredited)
- Shadow of the Thin Man (1941) as Molly Ford
- Babes on Broadway (1941) as Secretary (uncredited)
- The Get-Away (1941) as Maria Theresa 'Terry' O'Reilly
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Donna Reed best known for?
Donna Reed is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Intimate Portrait (1993), Intimate Portrait (1993), Aladdin - Naam Toh Suna Hoga (2018), Dallas (1978).
When and where was Donna Reed born?
Donna Reed was born on January 27, 1921 in Denison, Iowa, USA. They passed away on January 14, 1986.
How many credits does Donna Reed have?
Donna Reed has accumulated over 63 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1941 to 2026.
What is Donna Reed's background in cinema and television?
Donna Reed was an American film and television actress and producer whose career spanned more than forty years, including performances in more than forty films. Born Donna Belle Mullenger on January 27, 1921, she became well known for her role as Mary Hatch Bailey in Frank Capra's 1946 film It's a Wonderful Life. In 19...