NANCY OLSON

Biography:

This Milwaukee native was born on July 14th, 1928. She studied at the University of Wisconsin, and was attending college at UCLA when she was discovered for the film Canadian Pacific (1949). The following year, she appeared in Sunset Boulevard, which would have two significant influences on her career: First, she garnered an Academy Award Nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Betty Schaefer; and second, she co-starred with William Holden, with whom she would co-star in 4 films over the next two years.

Despite major roles in large films, big screen stardom eluded her, and after marrying composer Alan Jay Lerner, she played second leads in a few films before retiring from acting. After their divorce, she made a return to acting, and started her successful stint with Disney in 1960's Pollyanna. She made four other films for Disney, including The Absent Minded Professor (1961), which is better known to the younger generation as the original version of Robin Williams' 1997 hit film, Flubber (Olson appears in an uncredited cameo in the new film).

Her post-Disney career is unremarkable, with minor roles in Airport 1975 (1974) and Making Love (1982). Television appearances include 1977's Kingston: Confidential (starring Raymond Burr) and 1982's Paper Dolls (opposite Lloyd Bridges).


Filmography:


1. Canadian Pacific (1949) 7. Big Jim McLain (1952) 13. Son of Flubber (1963)
2. Mr. Music (1950) 8. So Big (1953) 14. Smith (1969)
3. Sunset Boulevard (1950) 9. The Boy From Oklahoma (1954) 15. Snowball Express (1972)
4. Union Station (1950) 10. Battle Cry (1955) 16. Airport 1975 (1974)
5. Force of Arms (1951) 11. Pollyanna (1960) 17. Making Love (1982)
6. Submarine Command (1951) 12. The Absent Minded Professor (1961)


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