# Carole Landis

> American actress (1919–1948)

**Wikidata**: [Q242785](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q242785)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carole_Landis)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/carole-landis

## Summary
Carole Landis was an American actress, singer, and dancer who achieved prominence in Hollywood during the 1930s and 1940s. Born in 1919, she appeared in over 60 films, performed in stage productions, and entertained troops during World War II. A recipient of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, she is best known for her roles in comedies and dramas, though her life was tragically cut short in 1948.

## Biography
- **Born**: January 1, 1919, in Fairchild, Wisconsin  
- **Nationality**: American  
- **Education**: Attended San Bernardino High School  
- **Known for**: Versatile film career, USO tours, and stage performances  
- **Employer(s)**: Worked with major studios including 20th Century Fox  
- **Field(s)**: Film, theater, music, dance  

## Contributions
- **Film Roles**: Starred in notable films such as *The First Hundred Years* (1938), *Topper* (1937), and *Moon Over Miami* (1941).  
- **Stage Work**: Performed in Broadway productions and revues, showcasing her singing and dancing talents.  
- **USO Tours**: Entertained Allied troops in the Pacific Theater during World War II, boosting morale.  
- **Comedic Talent**: Became a popular "blonde bombshell" in screwball comedies, contributing to the genre's popularity.  

## FAQs
**When was Carole Landis active in her career?**  
Landis worked primarily from 1937 until her death in 1948, appearing in over 60 films during this period.  

**What were her most notable achievements?**  
She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was recognized for her USO tours, which included performing in challenging conditions for soldiers.  

**How did she die?**  
Landis died by suicide on July 5, 1948, at age 29, following struggles with depression and personal turmoil.  

**Did she work in theater?**  
Yes, she began her career in stage productions and later performed in vaudeville and Broadway shows alongside her film work.  

## Why They Matter
Carole Landis left a lasting impact on early Hollywood through her prolific filmography and dedication to entertaining troops during WWII. Her versatility as a performer—acting, singing, and dancing—exemplified the multifaceted talent required of studio-era actresses. Her tragic death at 29 highlighted the pressures faced by women in the entertainment industry, cementing her legacy as both a gifted artist and a symbol of its darker realities.

## Notable For
- **Hollywood Walk of Fame Star**: Recognized for her contributions to the film industry.  
- **WWII USO Tours**: Performed in remote Pacific locations, including New Guinea and Australia.  
- **Early Career Start**: Began acting at age 15 in low-budget films before rising to prominence.  
- **Genre Versatility**: Excelled in comedies, dramas, and musicals, adapting to evolving studio demands.  

## Body
### Early Life  
Carole Landis was born Frances Lillian Mary Ridste on January 1, 1919, in Fairchild, Wisconsin. Her early life involved frequent relocations due to her father’s work, eventually settling in San Bernardino, California, where she attended high school. She began her entertainment career as a teenager, performing in local theater productions and dancing at nightclubs.

### Career  
Landis started in film at age 15, landing minor roles in low-budget productions. Her breakthrough came in the late 1930s with contracts at 20th Century Fox, leading to starring roles in films like *The First Hundred Years* (1938) and *Topper* (1937). She became known for her comedic timing and glamorous persona, earning the nickname "The Blonde Bombshell."  

Beyond film, Landis was a skilled singer and dancer, touring with stage revues and performing on Broadway. During WWII, she dedicated herself to USO tours, entertaining troops in the Pacific under harsh conditions. Her efforts were widely publicized, though she faced criticism for continuing to perform while other actresses paused their careers.  

### Personal Life and Death  
Landis married four times, with her final marriage to actor Rex Harrison ending in divorce shortly before her death. Struggling with depression and the decline of her film career, she died by suicide on July 5, 1948, at age 29. Her death drew significant media attention, sparking conversations about mental health in Hollywood.  

### Legacy  
Landis’s legacy extends beyond her filmography. She remains a symbol of the "studio system" era, where actresses navigated intense scrutiny and contractual obligations. Her USO work underscored the importance of morale-boosting entertainment during wartime, while her tragic death highlighted the personal costs of fame. Though often overshadowed by contemporaries like Marilyn Monroe, Landis’s contributions to comedy and wartime service solidify her place in Hollywood history.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0484808/bio)
3. International Standard Name Identifier
4. SNAC
5. Find a Grave
6. Internet Broadway Database
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Virtual International Authority File
9. The Movie Database
10. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
11. Cinemathèque québécoise Linked Open Data