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January 6: Happy Birthday, Loretta Young

January 6: Happy Birthday, Loretta Young

Born as Gretchen Young on January 6th, 1913, Loretta Young was a famous American actress. After the separation of her parents, Loretta moved to Hollywood along with her mother and sisters at the age of 3. She quickly started acting, playing a small role in The Primrose Ring as a fairy at her young age.

The name “Loretta” was given to her by actress Colleen Moore, who explained that it was the name of her favorite doll. The newly dubbed Loretta Young was a highly prolific actress who made as many as nine movies a year starring alongside big name actors. In 1935, she starred in Gone With the Wind alongside Clark Gable, who she would later have a secret love affair with. The tryst ended up begetting a child, Judith Young.

Loretta won an Oscar for her performance in The Farmer’s Daughter, and she also had starring roles in The Bishop’s Wife and Mother is a Freshman. Eventually, Young’s career moved to television, where she became the host of the Loretta Young Show.

Young made numerous guest appearances on radio programs, including many production of Lux Radio Theater.

Loretta Young passed away on August 12th, 2000 from ovarian cancer.

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