Nationality American Name Gwen Lee Other names Gwendolyn Lee Role Film actress | Occupation Actress Parents Etta Lepinski Years active 1925–1938 | |
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Full Name Gwendolyn Lepinski Movies Orchids and Ermine, The Galloping Ghost, Her Wild Oat, Free and Easy, Broadway to Cheyenne Similar People Monta Bell, Joseph W Farnham, Herbert Brenon, Robert Z Leonard, Wallace Worsley | ||
Norma shearer and gwen lee from 1926
Gwen Lee (November 12, 1904 – August 20, 1961) was an American stage and film actress. Lee began her career as a model before being discovered and signed to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. She was typically cast in supporting roles. Lee appeared in over sixty films before retiring in 1938.
Contents
- Norma shearer and gwen lee from 1926
- Colleen moore and gwen lee from 1927 paint the town
- Acting career
- Personal life
- Death
- Filmography
- References
Colleen moore and gwen lee from 1927 paint the town
Acting career
Born Gwendolyn Lepinski to Mriette (née Kennedy) and Frank B. Lepinski in Hastings, Nebraska, Lee began her career as a department store model. She was discovered by director Monta Bell while appearing in a stage production. She signed a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1925. That same year, she made her film debut in Lady of the Night, starring Norma Shearer. She followed with roles in Pretty Ladies, starring Zasu Pitts, His Secretary, and The Plastic Age, starring Clara Bow. In 1926, Lee was cast in The Lone Wolfe Returns, starring Bert Lytell and Billie Dove.
In 1928, she was named a WAMPAS Baby Star. Lee continued her career with supporting roles in Laugh, Clown, Laugh and The Actress (both 1928). Her career continued for almost a decade into the era of sound motion pictures. Lee played Marjory in Untamed (1929), with Joan Crawford and Robert Montgomery. She appeared again with Crawford and Marie Prevost in the prison drama Paid (1930). In 1931, she was in The Galloping Ghost, with famed football running back Red Grange, and the crime drama, The Lawless Woman, with Vera Reynolds. In 1932, she appeared in the Western Broadway to Cheyenne (1932), with Rex Bell.
By the late 1930s, Lee was appearing in minor film roles most of which were uncredited. Her final film roles were in Man-Proof and Paroled from the Big House, both in 1938.
Personal life
Lee was sued by her mother, Etta Lepinski, in March 1932. Lee was charged in a petition for guardianship. The suit alleged that Lee was incompetent to handle her affairs, specifically she was incapable of managing her jewelry and personal property, valued in excess of $1,000. The case was filed in Los Angeles, California Superior Court. Lee's mother dropped the suit in April, citing improvement in her daughter's health. Later that same year, Lee was also sued by two clothiers for nonpayment.
On May 4, 1943, she married George Mence, Jr.
Death
Lee died on August 20, 1961 in Reno, Nevada.