--- name: "Joan Crawford" canonical: "https://film.one/person/joan-crawford" roles: ["Actor"] born: "23 March 1906" died: "10 May 1977" reviewed_on_fi1m: 2 average_as: "actor" average_over: 1 updated: "2026-09-20T01:18:55.658084+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Joan Crawford Actor. Born 23 March 1906 in San Antonio, Texas, USA. Died 10 May 1977. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 23 March 1906, San Antonio, Texas, USA - **Died:** 10 May 1977 - **Also known as:** Lucille Fay LeSueur, Lucille Le Sueur, Billie Cassin, Lucille Fay Le Sueur - **Titles on Fi1m:** 2: 1 acting, 1 other - **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar (1 won · 2 nominated) - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1920s 62 (1), 1940s 83 (1) - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_Crawford, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q40475, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001076/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/31550 ## Streaming the US now - **Tubi:** [*The Hollywood Revue of 1929*](https://film.one/film/the-hollywood-revue-of-1929.md) (62) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Joan Crawford > Joan Crawford played women who wanted more than they had been given and worked for it, and she played them with her chin up and her eyes wet. In *Mildred Pierce* that was a great performance. Later it became a manner. The moment we keep coming back to is a small one. In *Mildred Pierce* (1945) her daughter puts the waitress's uniform on the maid as a joke and lets her mother know what she thinks of women who wait tables, and Crawford's face falls and then sets. Nobody speaks for a second, and she does all the acting in it. She came up in silent films and never lost the habit of doing the work with her eyes before a line arrived. Around that face she built a silhouette nobody has mistaken for anyone else's: padded shoulders, strong brows, heavy make-up. She arrived in Hollywood in the mid-1920s as a dancer and signed with MGM in 1925, and for most of two decades she played girls who wanted up and out. Flappers first, then shopgirls; Flämmchen in *Grand Hotel* (1932) is the type at its most watchable. The studio repeated it often enough that critics started calling it the Crawford formula, and not kindly. The MGM part most remembered is a supporting one, Crystal Allen in George Cukor's *The Women* (1939), the villain in a cast with no men in it. She left MGM in 1943 for Warner Bros. *Mildred Pierce* is what she went there for. Michael Curtiz's film needs a woman who has decided to be respectable and will work herself into the ground to prove it, and Crawford plays her with her chin up and her eyes wet, never once asking us to like her. Milo Anderson's clothes carry the rise, from housedress to tailored suits to a fur she wears without quite believing in it. She noticed what the camera was doing too: "I was used to the look at Metro, where everything, including the war pictures, was filmed in blazing white lights. Even if a person was dying there was no darkness. But when I saw the rushes of Mildred Pierce I realised what Ernie [Haller, cameraman] was doing." She let the shadow do some of the work and did the rest herself. When Mildred apologises to Veda after the uniform scene we wanted to reach into the screen and stop her, and we have watched a great many films without wanting that. After 1945 came noir through the 1950s, including *Sudden Fear* (1952), which she also produced and in which the silent training pays off again in scenes with no dialogue to lean on. Then horror, and *What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?* (1962) for Robert Aldrich, opposite Bette Davis. We have not reviewed those here. What we can say is that the manner which is a performance in *Mildred Pierce* had by then become something she could put on, and the later films often ask her to put it on loudly. Effort was never her problem. Knowing when to stop was. Start with *Mildred Pierce*. If it takes you, *The Women* shows what she could do when the picture was not about her. Leave the horror until you know her face well enough to notice what it is doing under the shouting. ## Biography Joan Crawford was an American actor, also credited as Lucille Fay LeSueur, Lucille Le Sueur, Billie Cassin and Lucille Fay Le Sueur. She began her career as a dancer in travelling theatrical companies and on Broadway before signing a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1925. Crawford appeared as Self in *The Hollywood Revue of 1929* (1929). Among the films for which she is known are *Grand Hotel* (1932), *The Women* (1939), *Mildred Pierce* (1945), *Johnny Guitar* (1954), *What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?* (1962) and *Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte* (1964). She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for *Mildred Pierce*. In 1955 she became involved with the Pepsi-Cola Company through her marriage to its president Alfred Steele. After his death in 1959 she served on the board of directors until 1973. She continued to act in film and television through the 1960s. *Sources: imdb.com, en.wikipedia.org, britannica.com.* ## On Fi1m (2) ### Performed in (1) — the average rests on these - *Mildred Pierce* (1945), Fi1m 83, as Mildred Pierce — [page](https://film.one/film/mildred-pierce-1945.md) ### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited - *The Hollywood Revue of 1929* (1929), Fi1m 62, as Self — [page](https://film.one/film/the-hollywood-revue-of-1929.md) ## Complete filmography (129) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *The Green Fog* (2018), Actor - *Possessed* (2011), as (archive footage) - *Flappers, Speakeasies, and the Birth of Modern Culture* (2010), Actor - *Brigitte Bardot: The Icon of France* (2009), Actor - *Thou Shalt Not: Sex, Sin and Censorship in Pre-Code Hollywood* (2008), as Various Roles (archive footage) - *The Casting Couch* (1995), Actor - *That's Entertainment! III* (1994), as (archive footage) (uncredited) - *Gay! Gay! Hollywood* (1994), Actor - *Going Hollywood: The '30s* (1984), as (archive footage) - *Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid* (1982), as (in "Humoresque") (archive footage) - *That's Entertainment, Part II* (1976), as (archive footage) - *That's Entertainment!* (1974), as (archive footage) (uncredited) - *Dear Joan: We're Going to Scare You to Death* (1972), as Joan Fairchild - *The Sixth Sense* (1972), series, as Joan Fairchild - *Journey to Murder* (1971), as Host - *Trog* (1970), as Dr. Brockton - *Night Gallery* (1969), as Miss Menlo - *The Name of the Game* (1968), series, as Committee Member (uncredited) - *Berserk!* (1967), as Monica Rivers - *The Karate Killers* (1967), as Amanda True - *The Oscar* (1966), as Joan Crawford - *I Saw What You Did* (1965), as Amy Nelson - *Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte* (1964), as Miriam Deering in Car (uncredited) - *The Man from U.N.C.L.E.* (1964), series, as Amanda True - *The Big Parade of Comedy* (1964), as Bobby (archive footage) - *Della* (1964), as Della Chappell · Producer - *Strait-Jacket* (1964), as Lucy Harbin - *The Caretakers* (1963), as Lucretia Terry - *What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?* (1962), as Blanche Hudson - *The Lucy Show* (1962), series, as Joan Crawford - *The Virginian* (1962), series, as Stephanie White - *Lykke og krone* (1962), Actor - *One Must Die* (1961), Actor - *Route 66* (1960), series, as Morgan Harper - *The Best of Everything* (1959), as Amanda Farrow - *Woman on the Run* (1959), as Susan Conrad · Producer - *Zwischen Glück und Krone* (1959), Actor - *Strange Witness* (1958), as Ruth Marshall - *The Story of Esther Costello* (1957), as Margaret Landi - *Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre* (1956), series, as Stella Faring, Sarah / Melanie Davidson Hobbs - *Autumn Leaves* (1956), as Millicent Wetherby - *Queen Bee* (1955), as Eva Phillips - *Female on the Beach* (1955), as Lynn Markham - *The Road to Edinburgh* (1954), as Mary Andrews - *Johnny Guitar* (1954), as Vienna - *The Secret Storm* (1954), series, as Joan Borman Kane - *Torch Song* (1953), as Jenny Stewart - *General Electric Theater* (1953), series, as Ann Howard, Ruth Marshall, Mary Andrews - *Sudden Fear* (1952), as Myra Hudson Blaine - *This Woman Is Dangerous* (1952), as Elizabeth Austin - *Goodbye, My Fancy* (1951), as Agatha Reed - *Harriet Craig* (1950), as Harriet Craig - *The Damned Don't Cry* (1950), as Ethel Whitehead, Additional Writing · Costume Consultant - *It's a Great Feeling* (1949), as Joan Crawford (uncredited) - *Flamingo Road* (1949), as Lane Bellamy - *Daisy Kenyon* (1947), as Daisy Kenyon - *Possessed* (1947), as Louise Howell - *Humoresque* (1947), as Helen Wright - *Mildred Pierce* (1945), as Mildred Pierce — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/mildred-pierce-1945.md) - *Above Suspicion* (1943), as Frances Myles - *Reunion in France* (1942), as Michele de la Becque - *They All Kissed the Bride* (1942), as Margaret Johanna 'M.J.' Drew - *Joan Crawford's Home Movies* (1942), Director, Cinematography - *When Ladies Meet* (1941), as Mary 'Minnie' Howard - *A Woman's Face* (1941), as Anna Holm - *Susan and God* (1940), as Susan Trexel - *Strange Cargo* (1940), as Julie - *The Women* (1939), as Crystal Allen - *Screen Snapshots Series 18, No. 8* (1939), as Joan Crawford - *The Ice Follies of 1939* (1939), as Mary McKay - *The Shining Hour* (1938), as Olivia Riley Linden - *Mannequin* (1938), as Jessie Cassidy - *The Bride Wore Red* (1937), as Anni Pavlovitch - *The Last of Mrs. Cheyney* (1937), as Mrs. Fay Cheyney - *Love on the Run* (1936), as Sally Parker - *The Gorgeous Hussy* (1936), as Margaret "Peggy" O'Neal - *I Live My Life* (1935), as Kay Bentley - *No More Ladies* (1935), as Marcia Townsend Warren - *Forsaking All Others* (1934), as Mary Clay - *Chained* (1934), as Diane Lovering - *Sadie McKee* (1934), as Sadie - *Dancing Lady* (1933), as Janie Barlow - *Fast Workers* (1933), as Ivy Stevens (Archive Footage) (Uncredited) - *Today We Live* (1933), as Diana 'Ann' Boyce-Smith - *Rain* (1932), as Sadie Thompson - *Grand Hotel* (1932), as Flämmchen - *Letty Lynton* (1932), as Letty Lynton - *Possessed* (1931), as Marian Martin aka 'Mrs. Moreland' - *This Modern Age* (1931), as Valentine 'Val' Winters - *Laughing Sinners* (1931), as Ivy 'Bunny' Stevens - *The Stolen Jools* (1931), as Joan Crawford - *Dance, Fools, Dance* (1931), as Bonnie Jordan - *Paid* (1930), as Mary Turner - *Our Blushing Brides* (1930), as Geraldine 'Gerry' March - *Montana Moon* (1930), as Joan - *Untamed* (1929), as Alice "Bingo" Dowling - *Our Modern Maidens* (1929), as Billie Brown - *The Duke Steps Out* (1929), as Susie - *Dream of Love* (1928), as Adrienne Lecouvreur - *Our Dancing Daughters* (1928), as Diana 'Di' Medford - *Four Walls* (1928), as Frieda - *Across to Singapore* (1928), as Priscilla Crowninshield - *Rose-Marie* (1928), as Rose-Marie - *The Law of the Range* (1928), as Betty Dallas - *West Point* (1928), as Betty Channing - *Spring Fever* (1927), as Allie Monte - *Twelve Miles Out* (1927), as Jane - *The Unknown* (1927), as Nanon Zanzi - *The Understanding Heart* (1927), as Monica Dale - *The Taxi Dancer* (1927), as Joselyn Poe - *Winners of the Wilderness* (1927), as René Contrecoeur - *Bardelys the Magnificent* (1926), as Court Gossip (uncredited) - *The Merry Widow* (1926), as Ballroom Dancer (uncredited) - *Paris* (1926), as The Girl - *The Boob* (1926), as Jane - *Tramp, Tramp, Tramp* (1926), as Betty Burton - *Sally, Irene and Mary* (1925), as Irene O'Dare - *Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ* (1925), as Chariot Race Spectator (uncredited) - *The Only Thing* (1925), as Party Guest (uncredited) - *Old Clothes* (1925), as Mary Riley - *Time, the Comedian* (1925), as Art Student (as Lucille LeSueur) - *The Midshipman* (1925), as Extra - Driver of Police Car (uncredited) - *The Circle* (1925), as Young Lady Catherine - *Pretty Ladies* (1925), as Bobby - *A Slave of Fashion* (1925), as Mannequin (uncredited) - *Proud Flesh* (1925), as Party Guest (uncredited) - *Lady of the Night* (1925), as Body Double for Norma Shearer - *Rebel Range*, as Stella Faring - *And One Was Loyal*, as Ann Howard ## Gallery - ![Joan Crawford](https://film.one/media/person/1224114/gallery-b3bfc107773b.jpg) Joan Crawford — George Hurrell, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/32/Joan_Crawford_-_1936_-_Hurrell.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Joan Crawford](https://film.one/media/person/1224114/gallery-7f504e9ce323.jpg) Joan Crawford — Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/28/Joan_Crawford_%281930s%29_%2854309046076%29.jpg/1280px-Joan_Crawford_%281930s%29_%2854309046076%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Publicity still of 1962 film 'What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?'. Such images were taken by a studio photographer, and then disseminated to the media and the pub](https://film.one/media/person/1224114/gallery-a0ddcacc269d.png) Publicity still of 1962 film 'What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?'. Such images were taken by a studio photographer, and then disseminated to the media and the pub — Warner Bros. Studios, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a7/Joan_Crawford_as_Blanche_Hudson_%281962%29_01.png/1280px-Joan_Crawford_as_Blanche_Hudson_%281962%29_01.png?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Joan Crawford and Lionel Barrymore in Grand Hotel](https://film.one/media/person/1224114/gallery-4ef1715ef220.jpg) Joan Crawford and Lionel Barrymore in Grand Hotel — Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2b/Joan_Crawford_and_Lionel_Barrymore_-_Grand_Hotel_%281932%29_%2848729981748%29.jpg/1280px-Joan_Crawford_and_Lionel_Barrymore_-_Grand_Hotel_%281932%29_%2848729981748%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Joan Crawford](https://film.one/media/person/1224114/gallery-4818f47f8d3a.jpg) Joan Crawford — Image via TMDB - ![Joan Crawford](https://film.one/media/person/1224114/gallery-1bf0226f1952.jpg) Joan Crawford — Image via TMDB - ![Joan Crawford](https://film.one/media/person/1224114/gallery-c0f603a0b828.jpg) Joan Crawford — Image via TMDB - ![Joan Crawford](https://film.one/media/person/1224114/gallery-167889e50864.jpg) Joan Crawford — Image via TMDB - ![Joan Crawford](https://film.one/media/person/1224114/gallery-71bea8cffde4.jpg) Joan Crawford — Image via TMDB - ![Joan Crawford](https://film.one/media/person/1224114/gallery-5f87f6260d57.jpg) Joan Crawford — Image via TMDB ## Awards ### Academy Awards — 1 won, 2 nominated - 1953: Best Actress (nominated), for *Sudden Fear* - 1948: Best Actress (nominated), for *Possessed* - 1946: Best Actress (won), for *Mildred Pierce* ### Golden Globes — 1 won - 1970: Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award (won) *From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.* --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/joan-crawford