Evelyn Varden

Biography

Evelyn Varden was an American character actress who began as a teenager in a touring troupe with her aunts and reached Broadway by age sixteen in 1910. Her stage career took off in the 1930s, notably as Mrs. Gibbs in the original production of Our Town. Her stage work often consisted of showy supporting roles, though she starred in Return Engagement and had a personal success in Hilda Crane. She also acted on radio and television during the 1940s and 1950s, including Cradle Song opposite Judith Anderson. Varden made her first film at 56 in Pinky (1949), then more than a dozen others, including The Bad Seed (1956) and Hilda Crane (1956). Her best-known screen performance was Icey Spoon in The Night of the Hunter (1955), praised by author Davis Grubb. Before her death in 1958, she earned kudos in London for Roar Like a Dove and won a Best Supporting Performance award from National British drama critics.

65years old at death

Born June 12, 1893Adair
Died July 11, 1958New York City
Star sign: GeminiThe sign runs May 21 to June 20

Movie Career

Films: 5
Career span: 7 years1949 to 1956

Every film, newest first

1956The Bad SeedIMDb rating 7.4
1955The Night of the HunterIMDb rating 7.9
1954DésiréeIMDb rating 6.3
1952Phone Call from a StrangerIMDb rating 6.9
1949PinkyIMDb rating 7.2

Genres

Did you know?!

First role
Varden did not appear in a film until 1949, when she was 56 years old, making her first film appearance in Pinky.
Big break
Varden's stage career took off in the 1930s, when she was in her forties, notably as Mrs. Gibbs in the original production of Our Town.

Evelyn Varden movies on Netflix

The Bad Seed1956IMDb rating 7.4as Monica
The Night of the Hunter1955IMDb rating 7.9as Icey Spoon
Désirée1954IMDb rating 6.3as Marie
Phone Call from a Stranger1952IMDb rating 6.9as Sally Carr
Pinky1949IMDb rating 7.2as Melba Wooley

Worked with

Evelyn Varden shares two films with Shelley Winters, 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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Shelley Winters

Michael Rennie

Bess Flowers

Robert Mitchum

Bette Davis

Keenan Wynn

Charles LaughtonDirector, 1 film Mervyn LeRoyDirector, 1 film Henry KosterDirector, 1 film

Films together

Shelley Winters2 films together, 1952 to 1955
Shelley Winters's page
- The Night of the Hunter1955IMDb rating 7.9Varden as Icey SpoonWinters as Willa Harper
- Phone Call from a Stranger1952IMDb rating 6.9Varden as Sally CarrWinters as Binky Gay (Mrs. Michael Carr)
Michael Rennie2 films together, 1952 to 1954
Michael Rennie's page
- Désirée1954IMDb rating 6.3Varden as MarieRennie as Bernadotte
- Phone Call from a Stranger1952IMDb rating 6.9Varden as Sally CarrRennie as Dr. Robert Fortness
Bess Flowers1 film together, 1954
Bess Flowers's page
- Désirée1954IMDb rating 6.3Varden as MarieFlowers as Attendant Holding Baby at Palace Ball
Robert Mitchum1 film together, 1955
Robert Mitchum's page
- The Night of the Hunter1955IMDb rating 7.9Varden as Icey SpoonMitchum as Harry Powell
Bette Davis1 film together, 1952
Bette Davis's page
- Phone Call from a Stranger1952IMDb rating 6.9Varden as Sally CarrDavis as Marie Hoke
Keenan Wynn1 film together, 1952
Keenan Wynn's page
- Phone Call from a Stranger1952IMDb rating 6.9Varden as Sally CarrWynn as Eddie Hoke
Charles LaughtonDirector, 1 film, 1955
All films by Charles Laughton
- The Night of the Hunter1955IMDb rating 7.9Varden as Icey Spoon
Mervyn LeRoyDirector, 1 film, 1956
All films by Mervyn LeRoy
- The Bad Seed1956IMDb rating 7.4Varden as Monica
Henry KosterDirector, 1 film, 1954
All films by Henry Koster
- Désirée1954IMDb rating 6.3Varden as Marie

Online

Official profiles and reference pages.

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