Janet Gaynor
Biography
Janet Gaynor was an American actress who began in bit parts and extra work before Fox Film signed her in 1926 and cast her in leading roles. She became one of Hollywood's top box office draws and one of the few established stars to make a successful move into sound films. In 1929 she received the Academy Award for Best Actress, the first actress so honored, for 7th Heaven (1927), Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927) and Street Angel (1928), the only time an actress won one Oscar for multiple roles. A Star Is Born (1937) earned her a second Best Actress nomination. She starred in State Fair (1933) and The Young in Heart (1938), retired in 1939, then returned in the 1950s for television and a final film role in 1957. In 1980 she made her Broadway debut in a stage version of Harold and Maude and later toured in On Golden Pond. She died in 1984.
77years old at death
- Born Philadelphia
- Died Palm Springs
- Star sign: LibraThe sign runs September 23 to October 22
- Also credited as Laura Gainor
Movie Career
- Films
- 7
- Career span
- 11 years1927 to 1938
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Behind the award
In 1929, Gaynor was the first person to receive the Academy Award for Best Actress. She won a single Oscar for her roles in 7th Heaven, Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans and Street Angel, the only time an actress has done so.
Behind the award
At 22, Gaynor became the first actress to win the award, and she remained the youngest winner until 1986, when Marlee Matlin won at 21 for Children of a Lesser God.
A role that slipped away
Gaynor was cast in remakes of two Mary Pickford films, Daddy Long Legs and Tess of the Storm Country. She refused to do a third, Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, which she thought was too juvenile.
Beyond film
Gaynor's Broadway debut came in 1980, playing Maude in a stage version of the 1971 film Harold and Maude. Her performance drew good reviews, though critics panned the play and it closed after 21 performances.
Janet Gaynor movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Most often with
Frank Borzage directed three of these films. Charles Farrell appears in three of them, more than any other actor. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Charles Farrell's page
Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams's page
Henry Armetta's page
Sally Eilers's page
Frank BorzageDirector, 3 films, 1927 to 1929
All films by Frank Borzage
Awards
Two awards and honors, one of them major.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academy Awards | |||
| 1929 | Best Actress | Seventh Heaven | Won |
| Other honors | |||
| Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame | Honored | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.