Jane Karyl Webb (August 13, 1925 – March 30, 2010) was an American film, radio, and voice actress, best known for her work on Filmation's cartoons.

Early years Webb's mother was Estelle Sigrid Webb, a Swedish immigrant who was an operatic soprano and performed at the Metropolitan Opera and Boston Opera House. She also opened a municipal opera in St. Louis. Her father James Howard Webb, known as Dr. Basil Webb, is a playwright who wrote and directed plays at the Hippodrome Theater in Chicago. Webb's brother John Webb performed theater in London and New York; her uncle Maurice Webb was University of London's president. She is a descendant of Walter Webb, who used to accompany George Washington on his surveying trips.

Raised in University City, Missouri, Webb studied at St. Mary's High School and Arcadia Convents at St. Louis. She spent three years working with repertoire companies in London, Manchester, Scotland, and Wales. Webb transferred from England to Chicago in 1936. As a high school student in Central YMCA High School, she was president of the student council and headed other student organizations. On June 10, 1942, Webb graduated with the highest honors. From early August 1942 through 1943, Webb took flying lessons. Webb attended Central Day College.

Career At the age of eight, she started her career as a professional entertainer when she was mistress of ceremonies, singing a Swedish song in a Chicago Century of Progress show. As a radio actress, Webb debuted in British radio shows made by British Broadcasting Company's television studios.

Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Edwards acted on multiple radio series, including the Tom Mix Ralston Straight Shooters.

In March 1939, Paramount Pictures' talent agent Arthur Jacobson discovered Webb while searching for new actresses in Chicago. On April 19, 1939, Webb signed an acting contract with Paramount Pictures. Webb was supposedly going to be cast as the leading role in Dr. Cyclops as her acting debut, but was recast.

Personal life In her private life, Webb collected spools, rode miniature horses, kept canaries, read "everything", and made her own recipes. She had also written her own poetry, short stories, musical compositions, and a novel.

In 1947, Webb moved from Chicago to the neighborhood of Hollywood Hills in California, along with her family. In 1948, Webb married Jack Lawson Edwards, Jr, brother of actor and cartoon voiceover performer Sam Edwards, at her parents' home. The couple moved to New York City to continue their careers in television until they moved back to Hollywood Hills. In 1960, the couple moved to the neighborhood of Studio City.

The couple had two sons, Alan James Edwards (b. April 23, 1951), a U.S. Navy member, and Steven Monroe, a lead guitarist and vocalist.

Death On March 30, 2010, Webb died in Green Valley, Arizona.

Filmography + Film Year Title Role(s)1939 Our Leading Citizen Telephone operator (uncredited) $1,000 a Touchdown Billie (uncredited)1940 The Farmer's Daughter Cashier (uncredited) 1972 Treasure Island Mrs. Hawkins (voice) 1974 Oliver Twist Nancy (speaking voice)

+ Radio Year Title Role(s) 1936–1946 Tom Mix Ralston Straight Shooters 1937–1945 Grand Hotel 1939–1942 The Bartons Midge 1940–1954 The Chicago Theater of the Air Guest star 1941 Lone Journey Jean 1942–1946 Bachelor's Children Doris Keller (a.k.a. Dorothy Keeler)Buffalo Courier Express, January 29, 1943 1942–1951 Aunt Mary Show Peggy Mead 1943–1947 The Baxters Daughter 1943, 1951Guiding LightPeggy Ashley Regan 1943–1944 The Road to Life Debutante, Janet Mercer 1944 That Brewster Boy MinervaSky HighGuest role 1945–1946 Island Venture Medoza's daughter 1945–1948 Those Websters Belinda Boyd1948The People Next DoorCharlotte 1949 Richard Diamond, Private Detective One episode ("The John Blackwell Case") 1950 The Truitts Gladys Truitt Errand of MercyJoan ("The Train Whistle")1950–1951 Dr. Kildare Mary Lamont Crime Classics Guest role Heartbeat Theater Guest role Inheritance Guest role Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar Guest role Let George Do It Guest role Lux Radio Theatre Guest role Suspense Guest role The Chase Guest role1951The Adventures of Archie AndrewsVeronica Lodge1979Suspense StoryJessica Thomas

+ Television Year Title Role(s) 1967 Journey to the Center of the Earth Cindy Lindenbrook, Queen Mortia, Fossil1968 The Batman/Superman Hour Barbara Gordon/Batgirl, Catwoman, Charlotte Ruuse Fantastic Voyage Dr. Erica Lane, Alvin Upwell, Lisette Clossard The Archie Show Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge, Miss Grundy, Big Ethel, additional voices Family AffairLive-action role; television announcer ("A Matter of Choice")1969 Archie and His New Pals Preview special for The Archie Comedy Hour; Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge, Miss Grundy, Sabrina Spellman The Archie Comedy Hour Sabrina Spellman, Aunt Hilda, Aunt Zelda, Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge, Miss Grundy, Big Ethel, Miss Della The Hardy Boys Wanda Kay Breckenridge, Gertrude Hardy1970 Will the Real Jerry Lewis Please Sit Down Geraldine Lewis, Rhonda Archie's Funhouse Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge, Miss Grundy, Big Ethel Sabrina and the Groovie Goolies Sabrina Spellman, Aunt Hilda, Aunt Zelda, Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge, Miss Grundy, Big Ethel, Miss Della, additional voices Groovie Goolies Bella La Ghostly, Sabrina Spellman, additional voices1971 Archie's TV Funnies Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge, Miss Grundy, Big Ethel, Tess Trueheart, Moon Maid, Gravel Gertie, Mama, Emmy Lou, Taffy, Nancy Ritz, Fritzi Ritz, Cookie, Hazel Nutt, Broom-Hilda, Breathless Mahoney, additional voices Aesop's Fables Female Tortoise, Bee, Female Swan, Mother Duck, Duckling, Female Hare #1, Female Hare #21972 The ABC Saturday Superstar Movie Lassie and the Spirit of Thunder Mountain (Laura Turner) The Brady Kids on Mysterious Island (Babs) Daffy Duck and Porky Pig Meet the Groovie Goolies (Petunia Pig, Nurse; credited as "Joanne Louise") The Brady Kids Babs, Diana Prince/Wonder Woman ("It's All Greek to Me"), additional voices 1973 Lassie's Rescue Rangers Laura Turner, additional voices My Favorite Martians Katy O'Hara, Jan, Coral, Lorelei Brown, Miss Casserole1974 The U.S. of Archie Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge, Miss Grundy, additional voices The New Adventures of Gilligan Ginger Grant, Mary Ann Summers (credited as both "Jane Webb" and "Jane Edwards") 1975 The Secret Lives of Waldo Kitty Felicia, Pronto, Sparrow1976–1979Tarzan, Lord of the JungleAdditional voices 1977 The New Archie and Sabrina Hour Sabrina Spellman, Aunt Hilda, Aunt Zelda, Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge, Miss Grundy, Big Ethel, Miss Della, additional voices1980General HospitalLive-action role; announcer (one episode)

+ Shorts Year Title Role(s) 1967 The Three Faces of Stanley Unknown name (voice) 1969 How We Feel About Sound Clancy's Mom (voice) 1971 Hopscotch Unknown name (voice) 1977 He Really Lives Unknown name (voice)

Discography

The Wizard of Oz (1968) The Dirty Old Man (1974) by Jim Backus (additional voices) Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (1982)

References

External links