Betty Furness

Biography

Betty Furness was an American actress whose career moved from modeling and stage work to film and television. Born in Manhattan, she made her first stage appearance during a school break, playing the lead in Alice in Wonderland. A talent scout noticed her, and RKO Studios signed her to a film contract in 1932. Her first screen part, in Thirteen Women (1932), was cut before release, but she soon appeared in many RKO features. Her film successes included Magnificent Obsession (1935) and the Astaire and Rogers musical Swing Time (1936). By the late 1930s she had made more than forty films. In 1948, while performing on Studio One, she substituted for an actor in a Westinghouse commercial break; the company was impressed and hired her as a spokeswoman. She later hosted Penthouse Party, was a panelist on What's My Line?, and had her own daytime show, Meet Betty Furness. Her Buyline: Betty Furness program won a Peabody Award in 1977.

78years old at death

Born January 3, 1916New York City
Died April 2, 1994New York City
Star sign: CapricornThe sign runs December 22 to January 19
Also credited as Elizabeth Mary Furness and Elizabeth Furness

Movie Career

Films: 4
Career span: 22 years1935 to 1957

Every film, newest first

1957The Defender (Studio One)IMDb rating 7.9
1936Swing TimeIMDb rating 7.4
1936The President's MysteryIMDb rating 5.6
1935Magnificent ObsessionIMDb rating 6.8

Genres

Photos

Did you know?!

First role
Furness got her first film role as the "Thirteenth Woman" in Thirteen Women (1932), but before the film came out her scenes were cut.
Big break
Furness got into commercials after filling in for an actor during a live Westinghouse ad on Studio One, which impressed the company enough to offer her a contract.

Betty Furness movies on Netflix

The Defender (Studio One)1957IMDb rating 7.9as Self / Commercial Spokeswoman
Swing Time1936IMDb rating 7.4as Margaret Watson
The President's Mystery1936IMDb rating 5.6as Charlotte Brown
Magnificent Obsession1935IMDb rating 6.8as Joyce Hudson

Worked with

Betty Furness shares two films with John Harrington, and one with each of the others. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.

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John Harrington

William Shatner

Byron Foulger

Ian Wolfe

Martin Balsam

Fred Astaire

George StevensDirector, 1 film John M. StahlDirector, 1 film Phil RosenDirector, 1 film

Films together

John Harrington2 films together, 1936
John Harrington's page
- Swing Time1936IMDb rating 7.4Furness as Margaret Watson
- The President's Mystery1936IMDb rating 5.6Furness as Charlotte BrownHarrington as Thug
William Shatner1 film together, 1957
William Shatner's page
- The Defender (Studio One)1957IMDb rating 7.9Furness as Self / Commercial SpokeswomanShatner as Kenneth Preston
Byron Foulger1 film together, 1936
Byron Foulger's page
- The President's Mystery1936IMDb rating 5.6Furness as Charlotte BrownFoulger as Supporting Role
Ian Wolfe1 film together, 1957
Ian Wolfe's page
- The Defender (Studio One)1957IMDb rating 7.9Furness as Self / Commercial SpokeswomanWolfe as Judge Marsala
Martin Balsam1 film together, 1957
Martin Balsam's page
- The Defender (Studio One)1957IMDb rating 7.9Furness as Self / Commercial SpokeswomanBalsam as Francis Toohey
Fred Astaire1 film together, 1936
Fred Astaire's page
- Swing Time1936IMDb rating 7.4Furness as Margaret WatsonAstaire as Lucky Garnett
George StevensDirector, 1 film, 1936
All films by George Stevens
- Swing Time1936IMDb rating 7.4Furness as Margaret Watson
John M. StahlDirector, 1 film, 1935
All films by John M. Stahl
- Magnificent Obsession1935IMDb rating 6.8Furness as Joyce Hudson
Phil RosenDirector, 1 film, 1936
All films by Phil Rosen
- The President's Mystery1936IMDb rating 5.6Furness as Charlotte Brown

Awards

Two awards and honors.

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Betty Furness's awards and nominations, grouped by award
Year	Award	Result
Other honors
	Peabody Awards	Won
	Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame	Honored

Online

Official profiles and reference pages.

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