Betty Field was a renowned American film and stage actress, born on February 8, 1913, in Boston, Massachusetts, to George Field and Katharine Lynch. Notably, she was a direct descendant of the Pilgrims John Alden and Priscilla Mullins through her father.
Field's early career began on the London stage, where she appeared in Howard Lindsay's farce, She Loves Me Not. After its successful run, she returned to the United States and went on to star in several stage productions, earning her recognition as a talented actress.
Her film debut in 1939 marked a significant milestone, with her portrayal of Mae, the sole female character, in Of Mice and Men establishing her as a dramatic actress. This was followed by a string of notable film appearances, including The Shepherd of the Hills (1941),opposite John Wayne, and Kings Row (1942),where she played a complex character affected by incest, albeit with heavy censorship due to the era.
Field maintained a strong affinity for performing on Broadway, taking on roles in Elmer Rice's Dream Girl and Jean Anouilh's The Waltz of the Toreadors. However, she regularly returned to Hollywood, appearing in a diverse range of films, such as Flesh and Fantasy (1943),The Southerner (1945),The Great Gatsby (1949),Picnic (1955),Bus Stop (1956),Peyton Place (1957),BUtterfield 8 (1960),and Birdman of Alcatraz (1962). Her final film appearance was in Coogan's Bluff in 1968.
Throughout her career, Field also made notable television appearances.
