Kay Francis

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Actress Born Katherine Edwina Gibbs on Jan. 13, 1905 in Oklahoma City, OK

Kay Francis was a leading glamor girl of 1930s and 1940s films, partial to long, slinky, low-cut gowns by night and lavishly furred suits by day, earning her the reputation as one of the best-dressed women in Hollywood.

Educated in convents, the tall, beautiful, gray-eyed brunet originally trained for a business career, but after a tour of Europe she returned determined to become an actress. She got her first role on Broadway as the player queen in the successful modern-dress version of "Hamlet" in 1925.

In 1930, she went to Hollywood to appear in "Gentlemen of the Press" and remained to play in countless films with titles like "Virtuous Sin," "Passion Flower," "Mandalay," and "British Agent." She made more than 50 films.

In 1946, Francis returned to the Broadway stage after an 18-year absence, succeeding Ruth Hussey in "State of the Union."

— Los Angeles Times Aug. 27, 1968