Gloria Jean was born Gloria Jean Schoonover on April 14, 1926, in the United States. She was an American actress and singer who made a name for herself in the entertainment industry, particularly in the 1940s.
Gloria Jean's early career began when she was just three years old, singing on radio under the name "Baby Skylark" with Paul Whiteman's orchestra. She continued to perform on radio and eventually landed a spot with a New York opera company at the age of 12, becoming the youngest member of an opera troupe in the United States.
In 1938, Gloria Jean's voice teacher took her to an audition held by Universal Pictures movie producer Joe Pasternak, who was looking for a young singer to star in musicals. She won the audition and was signed to a contract with Universal, making her film debut in 1939.
Gloria Jean's early success led to a string of films, including "If I Had My Way" (1940),"A Little Bit of Heaven" (1940),and "Never Give a Sucker an Even Break" (1941),in which she co-starred with W.C. Fields. She became one of Universal's most prolific performers during the war years, making 14 feature films.
After leaving Universal, Gloria Jean continued to act in films, albeit in lower-budget productions, and began to appear on television shows. She also made personal appearances across America and Europe, and eventually worked as a receptionist for a cosmetics company.
In the 1990s, Gloria Jean was honored with the Young Artist Foundation's Former Child Star "Lifetime Achievement" Award, recognizing her achievements in the film industry. She continued to participate in nostalgia and autograph shows, meeting fans and displaying memorabilia.
Gloria Jean married Franco Cellini, an actor, in 1962, and had a son with him. The couple divorced in 1966. She later married again, but the union was short-lived.
In her later years, Gloria Jean moved to Hawaii to live with her son and his family. She suffered from health problems, including two serious falls and a heart condition, and passed away on August 31, 2018.
Gloria Jean's authorized biography, "Gloria Jean: A Little Bit of Heaven," was published in 2005.
