Frances Farmer

Frances Elena Farmer (September 19, 1913 – August 1, 1970) was an American actress and television hostess. She was in over a dozen movies during her career.

Farmer was born in Seattle, Washington. She began acting in stage productions while she was a student at the University of Washington. When she graduated, she began performing in stock theatre. She later signed a contract with Paramount Pictures in 1936.

Farmer's first movie was Too Many Parents (1936). That was followed by a lead role in the musical western Rhythm on the Range (also 1936).

Farmer was unhappy with the opportunities given to her by the studio. She returned to stock theater in 1937. She was cast in the original Broadway production of Clifford Odets' Golden Boy.

Farmer was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in the spring of 1970. The cancer was tied to her lifelong habit of heavy smoking. She died from the cancer in Indianapolis, Indiana at age 56.

Frances Farmer Media

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  Farmer in a press photo for her winning the Voice of Action writing contest, April 10, 1935

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  Farmer in a publicity still. (1938)

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  Leif Erickson and Farmer (front row, far left) with members of the Group Theatre in 1938

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  Left to right: Martha Scott, Uta Hagen, Farmer, and Julie Haydon posed in Stage magazine, 1938

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  Farmer was paroled into the care of her parents (pictured with her here in 1938) after her release from psychiatric confinement.

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  Actress Frances Farmer circa 1958

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  The details of Farmer's confinement at Western State Hospital (pictured) were subject to significant controversy and discussion after her death.