biography Born Clara Lou Sheridan on February 21, 1915, in Denton, Texas, Ann Sheridan showed an interest in dramatics as a high school student, which she furthered when she enrolled at the University of North Texas. Sheridan was attending college when her sister sent a photo of the college freshman to the Paramount Studios "Search for Beauty" contest, which selected 30 male and female winners. Sheridan was one of the lucky few to be chosen; she was given a round-trip ticket to Hollywood, $250, and a small part in Paramount's film Search for Beauty (1934; with Buster Crabbe). The end result from Paramount's million-dollar film and promotion stunt was a short-term contract for six of the winners. Sheridan secured one of the contracts and was used by the studio in more than a dozen films during 1934 and 1935, but the roles were small and often uncredited. She finally got meatier roles in Car 99 (1935; with Fred MacMurray) and Rocky Mountain Mystery (1935; with Randolph Scott), but Paramount ultimately did not renew her contract. 
In 1936, Sheridan signed with Warner Bros., and the studio changed her name from Clara Lou to Ann. Sheridan also married her first husband, actor Edward Norris, the same year. She began working her way up in Warner's B productions, including Black Legion (1937; with Humphrey Bogart) and She Loved a Fireman (1937; with Dick Foran and Robert Armstrong) before her breakthrough role in The Great O'Malley (1937; with Humphrey Bogart). They Made Me a Criminal (1939; with John Garfield) cemented her relationship with the film noir genre. While her film career was going well, her marriage went to the dogs, and she and Norris were divorced in 1939. 
Warner Bros. most often cast Sheridan in comedies and film noir thrillers. In promoting the beautiful young star, Warner's publicity machine dubbed her "The 'Oomph' Girl," but she reportedly hated the moniker. She had become a popular actress and pin-up by the early 1940s. In 1942, she married fellow Warner Bros. contract player George Brent, but the marriage failed quickly. Her career, however, was quite strong with starring roles in George Washington Slept Here (1942; with Jack Benny), Shine on Harvest Moon (1944; with Dennis Morgan and Jack Carson), and Nora Prentiss (1947; with Bruce Bennett). Frequently at odds with Warner Bros. management in later years, Sheridan's contract with Warner Bros. ended in 1948. Afterward, she freelanced in such films as I Was a Male War Bride (1949; with Cary Grant) and eventually signed a contract with Universal for a couple of years. A bad experience with RKO and her co-star, Glenn Ford, while working on Appointment in Honduras (1953; with Glenn Ford and Zachary Scott) left a bad taste in her mouth, and she wrapped up her film career with the British drama Woman and the Hunter (1957; with Jan Merlin). |
the films of ann sheridanThe Footloose Heiress (1937)
From The Footloose Heiress, one of Sheridan's early Warner Bros. comediesBroadway Musketeers (1938)
Campy shot of Sheridan and Marie Wilson in Broadway MusketeersNaughty But Nice (1939)
With Gale Page and Dick Powell in the Warner Bros. comedy Naughty But NiceWinter Carnival (1939)
With Richard Carlson in the drama Winter CarnivalIt All Came True (1940)
With frequent co-star and friend Humphrey Bogart in the crime comedy It All Came TrueHoneymoon for Three (1941)
With fellow Warner Bros. contract player George Brent in the comedy Honeymoon for Three. The year following the release of this film, Brent and Sheridan actually did go on a honeymoon, but the marriage survived only one yearGeorge Washington Slept Here (1942)
Funnyman Jack Benny is married to Ann Sheridan in George Washington Slept HereJuke Girl (1942)
With frequent co-star Ronald Reagan in the mystery Juke GirlKings Row (1942) 
LEFT: With Ronald Reagan and Robert Cummings in the drama Kings Row. This film was Reagan's best. RIGHT: With Robert CummingsGood Sam (1948)
From the Gary Cooper comedy Good Sam with Dick Ross. This film was released by RKOI Was a Male War Bride (1949) 
With Cary Grant in the hilarious I Was a Male War BrideSteel Town (1952)
With John Lund and Howard Duff in the Universal-International drama Steel TownAppointment in Honduras (1953)
With Glenn Ford and Zachary Scott in the RKO adventure Appointment in HondurasTake Me to Town (1953)The Opposite Sex (1956)
MGM's remake of the 1939 film The Women, The Opposite Sex had an all-star cast. Pictured are Ann Miller, Dolores Gray, June Allyson, Joan Collins, Ann Sheridan, and Joan Blondelllater yearsAnn Sheridan's star began to fade in the 1950s, when her age began to belie the ingenue roles usually afforded her. By 1958, with her film career over, she concentrated on TV guest spots and live theater. She made a comeback on television in the mid 1960s, taking a role on the NBC soap Another World during the 1965-1966 season, and then landing a role on the CBS western situation comedy Pistols 'n' Petticoats (1966-1967; with Lon Chaney Jr.). However, not long after production began on the series, Sheridan was diagnosed with lung cancer. She continued working on the series through December 1966, and she passed away on January 21, 1967, at the age of 51. She was survived by her fourth husband, actor Scott McKay (1915-1987). |
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