Judy Holliday (June 21, 1921 – June 7, 1965) was an American actress. Born Judith Tuvim in New York City, she began her career on the stage. Her first movie was as an extra in Orson Welles's short film Too Much Johnson in 1938. She had a few more minor roles in in the mid 1940's before moving back to New York and the stage w/ The Revuers, a comedy group which included Betty Comden and Adolph Green.
Her big break came in 1946, with a role on Broadway as scatterbrained Billie Dawn in Born Yesterday. A MGM talent scout saw her performance in 1949 and cast her opposite Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy in one of the year's biggest comedies, Adam's Rib. The part gave her the chance to star in the film version of Born Yesterday the next year for which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress.
Holliday was called to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee to "explain" her Communist links, but the appearance did not blackball her career, unlike the cases of others in the movie business.
In 1956 she starred in The Solid Gold Cadillac and in 1960 in Bells Are Ringing, in the role she had originated on Broadway in 1956.
In 1965 she died from breast cancer.
She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6901 Hollywood Blvd.
Filmography
Stage Work
Last updated: 05-07-2005 05:23:32
Last updated: 05-13-2005 07:56:04
