Betty Furness
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Elizabeth Mary Furness (January 3, 1916 โ April 2, 1994) was an American actress, consumer advocate, and current affairs commentator. She began her professional career as a model before being noticed by a talent scout and being signed to a film contract in 1932 by RKO Studios. Her first film role was as the "Thirteenth Woman" in the film Thirteen Women (1932) but her scenes were deleted before the film's release. Over the next few years, she appeared in several RKO films, and became a popular actress. Among her film successes were Magnificent Obsession (1935) and the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers film Swing Time (1936). By the end of the decade, she had appeared in over forty films, but during the 1940s, she found it difficult to secure acting roles. In 1948, Furness was performing in the television series Studio One, which was broadcast live. She filled in for an actor to promote Westinghouse products during the advertisement break, and impressed the company with her easy and professional manner. They offered her a contract to promote their products and she thus became closely associated with them.
Known For
Credits
- 1957 ยทThe Defender (Studio One)as Self / Commercial Spokeswoman
- 1954 ยทClimax!as Beth Jaynes
- 1954 ยทClimax!as Ann Kilgore
- 1954 ยทTwelve Angry Menas Herself / Commercial Spokeswoman
- 1952 ยทThe Play of the Nativity of the Child Jesusas Self
- 1952 ยทThe Killas Self - Commercial Spokeswoman
- 1952 ยทEllis in Freedomlandas Spokeswoman for Westinghouse
- 1952 ยทPontius Pilateas
- 1950 ยทThe Colgate Comedy Houras Maggie Watson
- 1950 ยทYour Show of Showsas Herself
- 1950 ยทWhat's My Line?as Self
- 1950 ยทThe Rockingham Tea Setas Self - Commercial Spokeswoman
- 1948 ยทStudio Oneas Coral, Princess Livitski
- 1948 ยทStudio Oneas Self - Commercial Spokeswoman
- 1948 ยทThe Philco Television Playhouseas
- 1939 ยทNorth of Shanghaias Helen Warner
- 1937 ยทIt Can't Last Foreveras Carol Wilson
- 1937 ยทThe Good Old Soakas Lucy Hawley
- 1937 ยทFair Warningas Kate Farnham
- 1937 ยทMama Steps Outas Leila Cuppy
- 1937 ยทThey Wanted to Marryas Sheila Hunter
- 1936 ยทMister Cinderellaas Patricia 'Pat' Randolph
- 1936 ยทAll American Chumpas Kitty Crane
- 1936 ยทThe President's Mysteryas Charlotte Brown
- 1936 ยทSwing Timeas Margaret Watson
- 1936 ยทSunkist Stars at Palm Springsas
- 1936 ยทThe Three Wise Guysas Clarabelle Brooks
- 1935 ยทMagnificent Obsessionas Joyce Hudson
- 1935 ยทHere Comes Cookieas Phyllis Allen
- 1935 ยทThe Keeper of the Beesas Molly
- 1935 ยทCalm Yourselfas Mary Elizabeth Allenby
- 1935 ยทMcFaddenยดs Flatsas Molly McFadden
- 1935 ยทShadow of Doubtas Lisa
- 1934 ยทThe Bands Plays Onas Kitty O'Brien
- 1934 ยทA Wicked Womanas Yancey Stroud, aka Yancey Trice
- 1934 ยทDangerous Corneras Mrs. Betty Whitehouse
- 1934 ยทGridiron Flashas Jane Thurston
- 1934 ยทThe Life of Vergie Wintersas Joan Shadwell
- 1934 ยทBeggars in Ermineas Joyce Dawson
- 1933 ยทLet's Fall in Loveas Linda
- 1933 ยทFlying Down to Rioas Belinha's Friend (uncredited)
- 1933 ยทAce of Acesas Card Playing Party Guest (uncredited)
- 1933 ยทAggie Appleby, Maker of Menas Evangeline
- 1933 ยทMidshipman Jackas Ruth Rogers
- 1933 ยทHeadline Shooteras Miss Saunders
- 1933 ยทEmergency Callas Alice Averill
- 1933 ยทCross Fireas Pat "Mike" Plummer
- 1933 ยทScarlet Riveras Babe Jewel
- 1933 ยทThe Great Jasperas Sylvia Bradfield
- 1933 ยทLucky Devilsas Ginger
- 1932 ยทRenegades of the Westas Mary Fawcett