Virginia Gilmore (born Sherman Virginia Poole; July 26, 1919 – March 28, 1986) was an American film, stage, and television actress.
Career Gilmore began her stage career in San Francisco at the age of 15, but moved to Los Angeles in 1939 to pursue work in films. When her movie career was not progressing, Gilmore mustered the nerve to approach Samuel Goldwyn at his home. As a result of their meeting, he promised her a screen test. She soon landed some small movie roles. Her better-known film appearances both occurred in 1941: Western Union, directed by Fritz Lang, and Swamp Water directed by Jean Renoir.
Later years When her movie role options began to dwindle, Gilmore left Los Angeles for New York City and started working on Broadway, where she had appeared in A Successful Calamity in 1934. In 1943, she played in Those Endearing Young Charms and The World's Full of Girls. In 1944, she played the title role in Dear Ruth, which was directed by Moss Hart. Her other Broadway credits include Truckline Cafe (1946), The Grey-eyed People (1952), and Critics Choice (1960).
Starting in the late 1940s, Gilmore had many television roles. In 1949, she and her husband, Yul Brynner, were featured on We're On, an NBC television series. Between 1966 and 1968, she taught drama at Yale University. In her later years, Gilmore was a leader in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
Personal life In 1944, she married Yul Brynner. The couple had one son, Yul "Rock" Brynner, before divorcing in 1960.
Death On March 28, 1986, Gilmore died from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at her home in Santa Barbara, California, aged 66. Upon her death, she was cremated by the Neptune Society and her ashes scattered at sea.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1939 Winter Carnival Margie Stafford 1940 Laddie Pamela Pryor Manhattan Heartbeat Dottie Haley Jennie Jennie Collins 1941 Tall, Dark and Handsome Judy Miller Western Union Sue Creighton Swamp Water Mabel MacKenzie Mr. District Attorney in the Carter Case Terry Parker 1942 Sundown Jim Toni Black The Pride of the Yankees Myra Berlin Correspondent Karen Hauen The Loves of Edgar Allan Poe Elmira Royster Orchestra Wives Elsie That Other Woman Emily Borden 1943 Chetniks! The Fighting Guerrillas Natalia 1945 Wonder Man Sailor's Girl Friend 1948 Close-Up Peggy Lake 1952 Walk East on Beacon Millie Zalenko / Teresa Henning
Stage performances Those Endearing Young Charms (1943) The World's Full of Girls (1943) Dear Ruth (1944) Truckline Cafe (with Marlon Brando) (1946) The Grey-Eyed People (1952) Critic's Choice (with Henry Fonda) (1960)
References
External links
The New York Times – Virginia Gilmore