Photo of Ann Sheridan
Ann Sheridan was born Clara Lou Sheridan on February 21, 1915 in Denton, Texas to G.W. Sheridan, an auto mechanic, and his wife Lula Stewart Warren Sheridan. Clara Lou, the youngest of five children, grew up as an athletic self-proclaimed “tomboy”. She attended Denton High School, where she was involved in the high school’s drama department. After graduating, she enrolled at the North Texas State Teacher’s College (now UNT). She played on the girl’s basketball team and sang with the college’s state band. She didn’t last long as a student, however.
Ann Sheridan in the movie Search for Beauty alongside her fellow Texan winner Alfred Delcambre
Clara Lou’s ascent into Hollywood stardom resulted from a beauty contest held by Paramount Pictures, who were looking for submissions from all over the world from celebrity hopefuls. In 1932 Clara Lou’s sister, Kitty, submitted a picture to the Dallas News of 18-year-old Clara Lou in a bathing suit to the contest. Paramount’s International Search for Beauty contest was reduced to 30 lucky men and women, Clara Lou Sheridan among them. Upon her win, Clara Lou left Texas to pursue a career in Hollywood. As a part of the prize, the contest winners received a very small part in the 1934 movie Search for Beauty starring Buster Crabbe and Ida Lupino. After her small film debut, she had uncredited parts in at least fifteen Paramount movies made in 1934.
Ann Sheridan in the movie Car 99
Clara Lou changed her name to “Ann” after her character’s name in the play “The Milky Way”. Ann had two whole scenes in the 1934 movie Behold My Wife!. After a few more small roles, she landed her first leading gig in the movie Car 99 in 1935.
After she wasn’t renewed by Paramount, Ann signed a contract with Warner Bros in 1936. Ann acted in increasingly larger roles throughout the next few years. In 1939 Ann earned the nickname “Oomph Girl” after being picked by judges as the actress with the most “oomph” in America. She reportedly loathed the nickname but later acknowledged its role in contributing to her fame.
Ann Sheridan and Ronald Reagan in Kings Row
Ann Sheridan’s repertoire continued to grow as she landed movie after movie into the 1940’s. She even acted alongside Ronald Reagan in Kings Row and Juke Girl. Around 1945, Ann took a little over a year to perform for the troops with the United Service Organizations. Upon her return to the screen, she booked a few more movies before leaving Warner Bros. in 1948.
Ann Sheridan with the troops. Photo from the USO website.
In 1949, Sheridan starred in one of her best known films, I Was a Male War Bride, alongside Cary Grant.
Ann Sheridan with Cary Grant in I Was a Male War Bride
The 1950’s saw her career begin to dwindle as she aged and the Hollywood conveyor belt continued to roll out younger actresses. She did a few movies and some stage work in New York as well as some roles on television. She booked the NBC soap opera Another World in the mid 60s. She also starred in the first season of the Western comedy Pistols ‘n’ Petticoats but before the entirety of the season aired, Ann died of gastroesophageal cancer at the age of 51 on January 21, 1967.
Ann Sheridan on set for the TV show Pistols ‘n’ Petticoats
Sources
“Ann Sheridan- Search for Beauty Contest Winner Before the Oomph” on Immortal Ephemera
“America’s ‘Oomph Girl’ was a USO Tour Star, Too” on USO website
Denton County Office of History and Culture: Blog 