Jane Adams
Biography
Jane Adams was an American actress whose work in film, radio and television spanned the 1940s and 1950s. Born in San Antonio, Texas, she grew up in California, studied violin and drama in high school and declined a Juilliard scholarship to train for four years at the Pasadena Playhouse. She began on Lux Radio Theatre, then modeled for the Harry Conover agency and served as the Dodge Girl for a year before returning to her real name in 1945. Her first screen part came in the 1942 short So You Want to Give Up Smoking, and a photograph in Esquire led Walter Wanger to screen test her for Salome, Where She Danced (1945), which brought a Universal contract and a small dancing role. She played Nina in House of Dracula (1945), among her best known roles, and she also appeared as Vicki Vale in the Batman and Robin serial and in the first Superman television series. She died in 2014.
95years old at death
- Born San Antonio
- Died Palm Desert
- Star sign: LeoThe sign runs July 23 to August 22
- Also credited as Betty Jane Bierce, Betty Jane Smith and Betty Jane Turnage
Movie Career
- Films
- 7
- Career span
- 69 years1945 to 2014
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Early training
Adams turned down a full Juilliard scholarship to study violin, choosing instead to spend four years training at the Pasadena Playhouse.
First role
After her time at the Playhouse, Adams began her career on Lux Radio Theatre and afterward worked with the Harry Conover Modeling Agency.
Big break
Walter Wanger saw a photograph of Adams in Esquire and wanted her to screen test for Salome, Where She Danced. That test brought her a Universal Pictures contract and a small part as a dancer in the film.
About the name
At the Harry Conover Modeling Agency, Adams was given a name, though she did not know why the agency chose it for her.
Jane Adams movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Worked with
Jane Adams shares two films with Lon Chaney Jr., 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.
Films together
Lon Chaney Jr.'s page
David Bruce's page
John Carradine's page
Boris Karloff's page
Whit Bissell's page
Peter Lorre's page
Alfred L. WerkerDirector, 1 film, 1949
All films by Alfred L. Werker
Erle C. KentonDirector, 1 film, 1945
All films by Erle C. Kenton
Charles DavidDirector, 1 film, 1945
All films by Charles David
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.