Joan Valerie
Biography
Born in Wisconsin in 1915, Helen Vlahikis, later known as Joan Valerie soon settles down in Hollywood, where she studied drama at the famous Pasadena Playhouse. Darryl F. Zanuck discovered her there but gave her parts only in B movies, although in pleasant ones. By way of example, she was the charming blonde in office in John Ford's "Submarine Patrol" (1938), "Lillian Russell" (1940), "Charles Chan at the Wax Museum" (also 1940), "Rio Rita" (1942). By the end of the nineteen forties her contributions had become thinner and, after marrying with Greek producer Paris Methusis, she finally gave up acting. Her happy life as Mrs. Methusis came to a tragic end when, in her late sixties, she died in the aftermath of a car accident. Coincidentally, her first husband, actor Grant Richards, was also killed in a car crash.
71years old at death
- Born Rhinelander
- Died Long Beach
- Star sign: CancerThe sign runs June 21 to July 22
- Helen Vlahakis (birth name)
Movie Career
- Films
- 3
- Career span
- 2 years1940 to 1942
Every film, newest first
- 1942Rio RitaIMDb rating 6.1
- 1940Michael Shayne: Private DetectiveIMDb rating 6.6
- 1940Murder Over New YorkIMDb rating 6.9
Genres
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Big break
Valerie was discovered by Darryl F. Zanuck while performing on stage at the Pasadena Playhouse, a meeting that launched her film career.
First role
Valerie's lead performance in Edward Elsner's Not So Long Ago in Hollywood brought her screen tests from two studios, one of which won her a small part in Reckless (1935).
Joan Valerie movies on Netflix
Worked with
Joan Valerie shares two films with Donald MacBride, 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
Donald MacBride's page
Marjorie Weaver's page
Bess Flowers's page
Irving Bacon's page
Don Brodie's page
Douglass Dumbrille's page
Harry LachmanDirector, 1 film, 1940
All films by Harry Lachman
S. Sylvan SimonDirector, 1 film, 1942
All films by S. Sylvan Simon
Eugene FordeDirector, 1 film, 1940
All films by Eugene Forde
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.