Jane Powell
Biography
Jane Powell was an American actress, singer, and dancer. Born Suzanne Lorraine Burce on April 1, 1929, in Portland, Oregon, USA, she began singing and dancing at an early age. Powell made her screen debut in 1944 and went on to have a successful career in movie musicals throughout the 1940s and 1950s. Her career in films ended in 1957, as she had outgrown her innocent girl-next-door image. Powell continued to act in various capacities, including television, commercials, and stage productions, including the musicals "South Pacific," "The Sound of Music," and "Oklahoma!" She passed away on September 16, 2021, at the age of 92.
Career overview
Jane Powell began her acting career in the early 1940s, initially performing in theaters and singing on the radio. She made her screen debut in 1944. Powell's early career was marked by a successful run in movie musicals throughout the 1940s and 1950s.
Her career in films came to an end in 1957, as she had outgrown her innocent girl-next-door image. Powell made brief returns to acting, appearing in television, commercials, and a workout video. She also had a variety of roles on stage, including performances in the musicals "South Pacific," "The Sound of Music," "Oklahoma!," "My Fair Lady," and "Carousel." Additionally, she starred in a one-woman show called "The Girl Next Door and How She Grew."
Powell's acting career spanned over several decades, with her last known performance being in a one-woman show. She passed away on September 16, 2021, at the age of 92.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
65 titles- Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age (2021) as Self
- Private Screenings: Robert Osborne (2014) as Self
- Don Knotts: Tied Up with Laughter (2011) as Herself
- Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1950s: The Golden Era of the Musical (2009) as Self (archive)
- Royal Wedding: June, Judy and Jane (2007) as Self
- Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There (2003) as Self
- Perfect Murder, Perfect Town: JonBenét and the City of Boulder (2000) as Kit Andre
- The Sandy Bottom Orchestra (2000) as Delia Ferguson
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Bess Sherman
- Sobbin' Women: The Making of 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' (1997) as Herself
- Private Screenings (1996) as Self
- That's Entertainment! III (1994) as (archive footage)
- Nelson and Jeanette: America's Singing Sweethearts (1992) as Host
- Burt Reynolds' Conversations with... (1991) as Self
- Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood (1987) as Self
- Growing Pains (1985) as Irma Seaver Overmier
- Night of 100 Stars II (1985) as Self
- That's Dancing! (1985)
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Rev. Mother Claire
- Night of 100 Stars (1982) as Self
- Fantasy Island (1978) as Joan Wade
- The Love Boat (1977) as Aunt Loretta
- The Love Boat (1977) as Grace Bostwick
- Mayday at 40,000 Feet (1977) as Kitty Douglass
- Tubby the Tuba (1975) as Celeste (voice)
- That's Entertainment! (1974) as (archive footage) (uncredited)
- The Letters (1973) as Elaine Anderson
- The Hollywood Palace (1964) as Self
- The Judy Garland Show (1963) as Self
- The Merv Griffin Show (1962) as Self
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self - Co-Host
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self
- Feathertop (1961) as Julie Balfour
- The Bell Telephone Hour (1959) as Self
- The DuPont Show with June Allyson (1959) as Lois Walters
- Meet Me in St. Louis (1959) as Esther Smith
- The Female Animal (1958) as Penny Windsor
- The All-Star Christmas Show (1958) as Self
- Enchanted Island (1958) as Fayaway
- The Girl Most Likely (1958) as Dodie
- Alcoa Theatre (1957) as Julie Kingstone / Hilde Frenz
- Alcoa Theatre (1957) as Harriet Kennedy
- Alcoa Theatre (1957) as Kathy Dorn
- The Steve Allen Show (1956) as Self
- The Steve Allen Show (1956) as Self - Singer
- The Dinah Shore Chevy Show (1956) as Self
- Hit the Deck (1955) as Susan Smith
- Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954) as Bride Milly Pontipee
- Athena (1954) as Athena
- Deep in My Heart (1954) as Performer (segment "Maytime")
- The Oscars (1953) as Self
- Small Town Girl (1953) as Cindy Kimbell
- Three Sailors and a Girl (1953) as Penny Weston
- Royal Wedding (1951) as Ellen Bowen
- Rich, Young and Pretty (1951) as Elizabeth Rogers
- What's My Line? (1950) as Self
- Two Weeks with Love (1950) as Patti Robinson
- Nancy Goes to Rio (1950) as Nancy Barklay
- The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) as Self
- A Date with Judy (1948) as Judy Foster
- Three Daring Daughters (1948) as Tess Morgan
- Luxury Liner (1948) as Polly Bradford
- Holiday in Mexico (1946) as Christine Evans
- Delightfully Dangerous (1945) as Sherry Williams
- Song of the Open Road (1944) as Jane Powell
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Jane Powell best known for?
Jane Powell is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There (2003), David (1997), Paranormal Activity 2 (2010), That's Entertainment! III (1994).
When and where was Jane Powell born?
Jane Powell was born on April 1, 1929 in Portland, Oregon, USA. They passed away on September 16, 2021.
How many credits does Jane Powell have?
Jane Powell has accumulated over 65 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1944 to 2021.
What is Jane Powell's background in cinema and television?
Jane Powell was an American actress, singer, and dancer. Born Suzanne Lorraine Burce on April 1, 1929, in Portland, Oregon, USA, she began singing and dancing at an early age. Powell made her screen debut in 1944 and went on to have a successful career in movie musicals throughout the 1940s and 1950s. Her career in fil...
Jane Powell by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Private Screenings (1996) as Self — aged about 67
- The Judy Garland Show (1963) as Self — aged about 34
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Bess Sherman — aged about 70
- The Bell Telephone Hour (1959) as Self — aged about 30
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Rev. Mother Claire — aged about 55
- That's Entertainment! (1974) as (archive footage) (uncredited) — aged about 45
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