NetflixMovies
Beulah Bondi

Biography

Beulah Bondi was an American character actress who was often cast as oddball maternal figures and, in later years, as grandmothers and wives. She started on stage as a child in Valparaiso, Indiana, and by 1925 had become a Broadway actress, later recreating her stage role as Emma Jones in the film Street Scene (1931). Supporting parts followed in Rain (1932), and she was among the first five women nominated for the new Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, for The Gorgeous Hussy. A second nomination came for Of Human Hearts (1938), and she played James Stewart's mother in Vivacious Lady (1938), Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), and It's a Wonderful Life (1946). She was a lead in Make Way for Tomorrow (1937), appeared in The Southerner (1945), and received a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 1960. Her television work included Perry Mason in 1963, and in 1976 she won an Emmy for The Waltons at age 87.

92years old at death

  • Born Valparaiso
  • Died Hollywood
  • Star sign: TaurusThe sign runs April 20 to May 20
  • Also credited as Beulah Bondy

Movie Career

Films
32
Career span
31 years1931 to 1962

Genres

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  1. A role that slipped away

    Bondi was tested for Ma Joad in The Grapes of Wrath. Thinking she had won the part, she reportedly purchased an old jalopy and relocated to Bakersfield, California, living among migrant workers to research the role. She lost it to Jane Darwell.

  2. A first

    Bondi was among the first five women nominated for an Academy Award in the new Best Supporting Actress category, for The Gorgeous Hussy, but Gale Sondergaard won the award.

Beulah Bondi movies on Netflix

Best known for

The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.

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  1. It's a Wonderful Life1946 Drama, Family, Fantasyas Mrs. Bailey

    IMDb rating 8.6559K votes

  2. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington1939 Comedy, Dramaas Ma Smith

    IMDb rating 8.1130K votes

  3. Make Way for Tomorrow1937as Lucy Cooper

    IMDb rating 8.111K votes

  4. Penny Serenade1941as Miss Oliver

    IMDb rating 7.19.0K votes

  5. Remember the Night1939as Mrs. Sargent

    IMDb rating 7.58.4K votes

  6. Back to Bataan1945as Bertha Barnes

    IMDb rating 6.64.7K votes

  7. Vivacious Lady1938as Mrs. Morgan

    IMDb rating 7.15.1K votes

  8. The Southerner1945as Granny Tucker

    IMDb rating 7.14.4K votes

Most often with

Frank Capra directed two of these films, George Stevens two and Anthony Mann two. Five actors appear in four of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.

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Films together

Awards

Two awards and honors from 1960 to 1977, one of them major.

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Beulah Bondi's awards and nominations, grouped by award
YearAwardFilmResult
Emmy Awards
1977Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama SeriesThe WaltonsWon
Other honors
1960Star on Hollywood Walk of FameHonored

Online

Official profiles and reference pages.

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