Oscar winner Jennifer Jones dead at 90

Yahoo - AP ^ | 12/17/09 | Bob Thomas

[Borges]

Jennifer Jones, the beautiful, raven-haired actress who was nominated for Academy Awards five times, winning in 1943 for her portrayal of a saintly nun in "The Song of Bernadette," died Thursday. She was 90.

Jones, who in later years was a leader of the Norton Simon Museum, died at her home in Malibu of natural causes, museum spokeswoman Leslie Denk told The Associated Press.

Jones was the widow of the museum's founder, wealthy industrialist Norton Simon, and served as chair of the museum's board of directors after his death.

Known for her intense performances, Jones was one of Hollywood's biggest stars of the 1940s and '50s.

Among her most memorable roles were the half-breed vixen who vamps rowdy cowboy Gregory Peck in "Duel in the Sun," and the Eurasian doctor who falls for Korean War correspondent William Holden in "Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing."

Despite her heavily dramatic screen roles, Jones conveyed an aura of shyness, even aloofness offstage. She rarely gave interviews, explaining to a reporter in 1957: "Most interviewers probe and pry into your personal life, and I just don't like it. I respect everyone's right to privacy, and I feel mine should be respected, too."

[spectre]

It's hard to believe Jennifer Jones was actually 24 years old when she made Song of Bernadette. For me, JJ was the most beautiful Hollywood actress EVER.

Tender is The Night was and remains one of my favorite films.

sw

[JoeProBono]

[ntnychik]

I wonder when she dropped from sight. I’ve always remembered her as your photo shows her in “Love Is A Many Splendored Thing.” If she was 90, I guess those of us who remember her are getting up there.

[nutmeg]

The arrogant, largely talentless, secular pricks in Hollywood these days are light years from having the inclination, talent and humility to make a movie of great faith like “The Song of Bernadette.”

Sadly, I agree, EyeGuy. "The Song of Bernadette" was required viewing in our household when I was very young... Jennifer Jones was magnificent in the title role (see photo in #19).

Rest in peace, Ms. Jones.

[Peter Horry]

Thanks for the list didn’t know Sid Caesar was still around, also remember Ann B. Davis from the Bob Cummings show, as well as most of the others. Side note, my brother-in-law’s mother was at Camp Croft (upstate SC Army Base during WW II) with her husband at the same time that Henry Kissinger and Ed Koch were there.

[patriot08]

.

You’re welcome.
http://www.whosaliveandwhosdead.com/actors.asp is a very interesting website.

Another interesting site is http://www.deadoraliveinfo.com/dead.nsf/pages-nf/main

And for the best virtual tour of Hollywood ever:

http://www.seeing-stars.com/

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[potlatch]

We tend to remember a lot of things from our parents too. My dad had a great voice and played a lot of LP Classical music and would sing along with it.

So, I recall most music from their era. Lucky that, because of my hearing loss in my 30’s. Old music is what I can ‘hear in my head’.

[truthkeeper]

I loved “Good Morning, Miss Dove” too. One of my all-time favorites. They just don’t make ‘em like that anymore.