Joanne Dru
Actor
About Joanne Dru
Joanne Dru was an American actress who rose to prominence in the late 1940s and became known for her roles in Western films and dramatic features. Born Joanne Letitia LaCock, she was discovered by talent scouts while working as a model in New York City. Her breakthrough role came in Howard Hawks' 'Red River' (1948) opposite John Wayne, which established her as a leading lady in Hollywood. Throughout her career, she appeared in over 30 films, often portraying strong-willed, independent women in Westerns and dramas. She worked with many of Hollywood's biggest stars and directors of the era, including Montgomery Clift, Robert Ryan, and William Wellman. Her career began to decline in the late 1950s, though she continued to appear in films and television through the early 1960s. After retiring from acting, she focused on her personal life and later worked as a talent agent.
The Craft
On Screen
Joanne Dru was known for her naturalistic acting style and emotional authenticity, often portraying strong, independent female characters who challenged traditional gender roles. She brought a combination of vulnerability and resilience to her roles, particularly in Westerns where she played women who could hold their own against tough male characters. Her performances were marked by a subtle intensity and ability to convey complex emotions without melodrama, making her particularly effective in dramatic scenes.
Milestones
- Breakthrough role in 'Red River' (1948) opposite John Wayne
- Starred in Academy Award-winning 'All the King's Men' (1949)
- Leading roles in major Westerns throughout the 1950s
- Transition to television work in the late 1950s and early 1960s
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Accolades
Special Recognition
- Hollywood Walk of Fame star (6260 Hollywood Blvd)
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Joanne Dru made significant contributions to the Western genre by portraying complex, independent female characters who broke away from traditional stereotypes of the 1940s and 1950s. Her role in 'Red River' helped redefine the Western heroine as someone who could be both romantic and tough-minded, influencing subsequent portrayals of women in Western films. Her performance in 'All the King's Men' as Anne Stanton demonstrated her dramatic range and contributed to one of the most acclaimed political dramas of Hollywood's Golden Age. Dru represented a transitional figure in Hollywood, bridging the gap between the traditional studio system and the more independent characterizations that would emerge in the 1960s.
Lasting Legacy
Joanne Dru's legacy lies primarily in her memorable contributions to the Western genre and her ability to portray strong, multidimensional female characters during an era when women's roles were often limited. Her performances alongside Hollywood legends like John Wayne and Montgomery Clift showcased her ability to hold her own among the industry's biggest stars. Though she never achieved the lasting fame of some of her contemporaries, her work in classic films like 'Red River' and 'All the King's Men' continues to be appreciated by classic cinema enthusiasts. Her Hollywood Walk of Fame star stands as a permanent tribute to her contributions to American cinema.
Who They Inspired
Joanne Dru influenced subsequent generations of actresses in the Western genre by demonstrating that female characters could be both romantic interests and strong, independent figures with their own motivations and agency. Her naturalistic acting style and ability to convey emotional depth without melodrama provided a model for more realistic performances in film. Her collaborations with directors like Howard Hawks and John Ford helped establish new standards for female characterizations in Westerns, paving the way for more complex roles for women in the genre throughout the 1950s and beyond.
Off Screen
Joanne Dru was married twice during her lifetime, first to actor John Ireland from 1949 to 1957, and later to George R. 'Red' Motley from 1973 until his death in 1990. She had two children with John Ireland: a son named Jeffrey and a daughter named Debra. Her marriage to Ireland was highly publicized, as both were rising stars in Hollywood during the early 1950s. After her acting career declined, she focused on raising her family and later worked as a talent agent. She spent her final years in Los Angeles, where she passed away from complications of lymphedema at age 74.
Education
Attended high school in Logan, West Virginia; later moved to New York to pursue modeling career
Family
- John Ireland (1949-1957)
- George R. 'Red' Motley (1973-1990)
Did You Know?
- Was discovered by a talent scout while working as a model at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York
- Changed her name from LaCock to Dru at Howard Hawks' suggestion to avoid confusion with another actress
- Her role in 'Red River' was initially offered to another actress who turned it down
- Was one of the few actresses who successfully worked with both Howard Hawks and John Ford
- Her marriage to John Ireland was one of Hollywood's most publicized relationships in the early 1950s
- Made her film debut at age 26, relatively late for a Hollywood star of that era
- Appeared in over 30 films during her 14-year career
- Her final film role was in John Ford's 'Sergeant Rutledge' (1960)
- Worked as a talent agent after retiring from acting
- Was close friends with many Western stars including John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara
In Their Own Words
I never considered myself a star. I was an actress who happened to get some good parts.
Working with John Wayne was intimidating at first, but he was incredibly professional and helpful.
The Western was a wonderful genre for actresses because it allowed women to be strong and independent.
Howard Hawks taught me more about acting than anyone else in Hollywood.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Joanne Dru?
Joanne Dru was an American actress active from 1948 to 1962, best known for her roles in Western films and dramatic features. She gained fame for her performances in classic films like 'Red River' (1948) and 'All the King's Men' (1949), often portraying strong, independent female characters.
What films is Joanne Dru best known for?
Joanne Dru is best known for 'Red River' (1948) opposite John Wayne, 'All the King's Men' (1949) which won the Academy Award for Best Picture, 'She Wore a Yellow Ribbon' (1949), 'Vengeance Valley' (1951), and 'The Far Country' (1954). These films established her as a prominent actress in the Western genre and dramatic cinema.
When was Joanne Dru born and when did she die?
Joanne Dru was born on January 22, 1922, in Logan, West Virginia, and passed away on September 10, 1996, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 74 from complications of lymphedema.
What awards did Joanne Dru win?
While Joanne Dru did not receive major acting awards or nominations during her career, she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6260 Hollywood Blvd. Her film 'All the King's Men' (1949) did win the Academy Award for Best Picture, though she was not individually nominated.
What was Joanne Dru's acting style?
Joanne Dru was known for her naturalistic acting style characterized by emotional authenticity and subtlety. She specialized in portraying strong, independent women who could be both vulnerable and resilient, particularly in Western films where she often played characters who challenged traditional gender roles of the era.
Was Joanne Dru married to other actors?
Yes, Joanne Dru was married to actor John Ireland from 1949 to 1957. Their marriage was highly publicized as both were rising stars in Hollywood during the early 1950s. She later married George R. 'Red' Motley in 1973 and remained with him until his death in 1990.
How did Joanne Dru get discovered?
Joanne Dru was discovered by talent scouts while working as a model at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York City. Director Howard Hawks discovered her and cast her in her breakthrough role as Tess Millay in 'Red River' (1948), which launched her film career.
What happened to Joanne Dru's career in the 1960s?
Joanne Dru's film career began to decline in the late 1950s, though she continued to appear in films and television through the early 1960s. Her final film role was in John Ford's 'Sergeant Rutledge' (1960). After retiring from acting, she worked as a talent agent in Hollywood.
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Films
1 film
