Jane Wyman | Biography, Movies, & Facts | Britannica (2025)

American actress

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Also known as: Sarah Jane Fulks, Sarah Jane Mayfield

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Quick Facts

Original name:: Sarah Jane Mayfield

Also known as:: Sarah Jane Fulks

Born:: January 5, 1917, St. Joseph, Missouri, U.S.

Died:: September 10, 2007, Rancho Mirage, California, U.S. (aged 90)

Awards And Honors:: Academy Award (1949); Academy Award (1949): Actress in a Leading Role; Golden Globe Award (1984): Best Actress in a Television Series - Drama; Golden Globe Award (1952): Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama; Golden Globe Award (1951): World Film Favorites; Golden Globe Award (1949): Best Actress in a Leading Role

Married To:: Fred Karger (1961–1965); Fred Karger (1952–1954); Ronald Reagan (1940–1949); Myron Futterman (1937–1938); Ernest Eugene Wyman (1933–1935)

Movies/Tv Shows (Acted In):: "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman" (1993); "Falcon Crest" (1981–1990); "Charlie's Angels" (1980); "The Love Boat" (1980); "Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law" (1974); "The Bold Ones: The New Doctors" (1972–1973); "The Sixth Sense" (1972); "My Three Sons" (1970); "How to Commit Marriage" (1969); "The Red Skelton Show" (1968); "Insight" (1962–1967); "Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre" (1966); "Wagon Train" (1958–1962); "Bon Voyage!" (1962); "The Investigators" (1961); "Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse" (1960); "Checkmate" (1960); "Pollyanna" (1960); "Holiday for Lovers" (1959); "Lux Playhouse" (1959); "Jane Wyman Presents The Fireside Theatre" (1955–1958); "Miracle in the Rain" (1956); "Lucy Gallant" (1955); "All That Heaven Allows" (1955); "General Electric Theater" (1955); "Summer Playhouse" (1954); "Magnificent Obsession" (1954); "So Big" (1953); "Let's Do It Again" (1953); "Just for You" (1952); "The Story of Will Rogers" (1952); "Starlift" (1951); "The Blue Veil" (1951); "Here Comes the Groom" (1951); "Three Guys Named Mike" (1951); "The Glass Menagerie" (1950); "Stage Fright" (1950); "The Lady Takes a Sailor" (1949); "A Kiss in the Dark" (1949); "Johnny Belinda" (1948); "Magic Town" (1947); "Cheyenne" (1947); "The Yearling" (1946); "Night and Day" (1946); "One More Tomorrow" (1946); "The Lost Weekend" (1945); "Hollywood Canteen" (1944); "Crime by Night" (1944); "The Doughgirls" (1944); "Make Your Own Bed" (1944); "Princess O'Rourke" (1943); "Footlight Serenade" (1942); "My Favorite Spy" (1942); "Larceny, Inc." (1942); "You're in the Army Now" (1941); "The Body Disappears" (1941); "Bad Men of Missouri" (1941); "Honeymoon for Three" (1941); "Tugboat Annie Sails Again" (1940); "My Love Came Back" (1940); "Gambling on the High Seas" (1940); "Flight Angels" (1940); "An Angel from Texas" (1940); "Brother Rat and a Baby" (1940); "Private Detective" (1939); "Kid Nightingale" (1939); "Torchy Blane.. Playing with Dynamite" (1939); "The Kid from Kokomo" (1939); "Tail Spin" (1939); "Brother Rat" (1938); "The Crowd Roars" (1938); "Wide Open Faces" (1938); "He Couldn't Say No" (1938); "The Spy Ring" (1938); "Mr. Dodd Takes the Air" (1937); "Public Wedding" (1937); "The Singing Marine" (1937); "Slim" (1937); "The King and the Chorus Girl" (1937); "Ready, Willing and Able" (1937); "Smart Blonde" (1937)

Movies/Tv Shows (Writing/Creator):: "Falcon Crest" (1990)

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Jane Wyman (born January 5, 1917, St. Joseph, Missouri, U.S.—died September 10, 2007, Rancho Mirage, California, U.S.) was an American actor who had a long, distinguished career in film and television, but was perhaps equally well known as the first wife (1940–48) of former president Ronald Reagan.

Wyman’s father died when she was a small child, and she was placed in the care of neighbours, whose last name she took. Determined to have a career in show business, Wyman moved to California and became a chorus girl. She spent several years as a singer on the radio, appearing in the choruses of movie musicals and in bit parts, and starring in a number of B movies before her portrayal of an alcoholic’s girlfriend inThe Lost Weekend(1945) proved to be her breakthrough as a dramatic actress.

After starring inThe Yearling(1946), for which she received her first Academy Award nomination, Wyman won thebest actress Oscarfor her portrayal of a deaf rape victim inJohnny Belinda(1948); she also won Oscar nominations for her roles inThe Blue Veil(1951) andMagnificent Obsession(1954). Other notable films includedThe Glass Menagerie(1950) andAll That Heaven Allows(1955).

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Wyman then branched out into television with the anthology seriesJane Wyman Presents the Fireside Theatre(1955–58); she often hosted and starred in various episodes of the show. She semiretired but made a few more motion pictures, includingPollyanna(1960), and occasional guest appearances on television. Wyman returned to prominence and found a new audience with the TV seriesFalcon Crest(1981–90), in which she starred as the domineering matriarch Angela Channing, owner of a California winery.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Encyclopaedia Britannica.

Jane Wyman | Biography, Movies, & Facts | Britannica (2025)

References

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jane-Wyman