40 Facts About Janet Gaynor

Janet Gaynor's career success continued into the sound film era, and she achieved notable success in the original version of A Star Is Born, for which she received a second Best Actress Academy Award nomination.

Janet Gaynor briefly returned to acting in films and television in the 1950s and later became an accomplished oil painter.

In 1980, Janet Gaynor made her Broadway debut in the stage adaptation of the 1971 film Harold and Maude, and appeared in the touring theatrical production of On Golden Pond in February 1982.

In September 1982, Janet Gaynor sustained multiple injuries when a drunken driver struck the taxicab in which she and others were passengers.

When Janet Gaynor was a toddler, her father began teaching her how to sing, dance, and perform acrobatics.

Janet Gaynor was initially hesitant to do so and enrolled at Hollywood Secretarial School.

Janet Gaynor supported herself by working in a shoe store and later as a theatre usher.

Janet Gaynor won her first professional acting job on December 26,1924, as an extra in a Hal Roach comedy short.

Later that year, Janet Gaynor was selected as one of the WAMPAS Baby Stars.

Janet Gaynor's image was that of a sweet, wholesome, and pure young woman who was notable for playing her roles with depth and sensitivity.

Janet Gaynor was not only the first actress to win the award, but at 22, was the youngest until 1986 when actress Marlee Matlin, 21, won for her role in Children of a Lesser God.

Janet Gaynor was one of only a handful of established lead actresses who made a successful transition to sound films.

Janet Gaynor often was cited as a successor to Mary Pickford, and was cast in remakes of two Pickford films, Daddy Long Legs and Tess of the Storm Country.

Janet Gaynor drew the line at a proposed remake of Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, which she considered "too juvenile".

Janet Gaynor continued to garner top billing for roles in State Fair with Will Rogers and The Farmer Takes a Wife, which introduced Henry Fonda to the screen as Janet Gaynor's leading man.

The studio quickly issued a statement denying that Janet Gaynor was holding out for more money.

Janet Gaynor quietly signed a new contract, the terms of which were never made public.

Janet Gaynor received top billing above Constance Bennett, Loretta Young, and Tyrone Power in Ladies in Love, but her box-office appeal had begun to wane: once ranked number one, she had dropped to number 24.

Janet Gaynor considered retiring due to her frustration with studio executives, who continued to cast her in the same type of role that brought her fame while audiences' tastes were changing.

Selznick, who was friendly with Janet Gaynor off-screen, was convinced that audiences would enjoy seeing her portray a character closer to her true personality.

Janet Gaynor believed that she possessed the perfect combination of humor, charm, vulnerability, and innocence for the role of aspiring actress Esther Blodgett in A Star Is Born.

That film was a modest hit, but by then Janet Gaynor had definitely decided to retire.

Janet Gaynor returned to acting in the early 1950s with appearances in live television series, including Medallion Theatre, Lux Video Theatre, and General Electric Theater.

The play, which Janet Gaynor later called "a disaster", was not well received and closed shortly after its debut.

Janet Gaynor became an accomplished oil painter of vegetable and flower still lifes.

Janet Gaynor sold over 200 paintings and had four showings under the Wally Findlay Galleries banner in New York, Chicago, and Palm Beach from 1975 to February 1982.

In 1980, Janet Gaynor made her Broadway debut as Maude in the stage adaptation of the 1971 film Harold and Maude.

Janet Gaynor received good reviews for her performance, but the play was panned by critics and closed after 21 performances.

Janet Gaynor was romantically involved with her friend and frequent co-star Charles Farrell during their work together in silent films until she married her first husband.

Janet Gaynor's attorney announced the couple's separation in late December 1932.

Janet Gaynor was granted a divorce on April 7,1933.

The couple had one son, Robin Janet Gaynor Adrian, born in 1940.

On December 24,1964, Janet Gaynor married her longtime friend, stage producer Paul Gregory, to whom she remained married until her death.

Ben Washer was killed, Mary Martin sustained two broken ribs and a broken pelvis, and Janet Gaynor's husband suffered two broken legs.

Janet Gaynor sustained several serious injuries, including 11 broken ribs, a fractured collarbone, pelvic fractures, a punctured lung, and injuries to her bladder and kidney.

Janet Gaynor recovered sufficiently to return to her home in Desert Hot Springs, but continued to experience health issues due to the injuries and required frequent hospitalizations.

On September 14,1984, Janet Gaynor died at Desert Hospital in Palm Springs at the age of 77.

Janet Gaynor is buried at Hollywood Forever Cemetery next to her second husband, Adrian.

Janet Gaynor's headstone reads "Janet Gaynor Gregory", her legal name after her marriage to her third husband, producer and director Paul Gregory.

In 1979, Janet Gaynor was awarded the Order of the Southern Cross for her cultural contributions to Brazil.