Sondra Rodgers (born Fenella Jewell Rodgers; 1903–1997) was an American film and television actress.Erickson p.385
Early years Born Fenella Jewell Rodgers, she grew up on the family farm in Trimble County, Kentucky. She was the daughter of J.L. Rodgers and his wife, Lacy Rodgers. When she was 17, she moved to New York and began modeling for a commercial photographer.
Radio Rodgers left the stage to work in radio in 1934. She was heard often in the United States on broadcasts of Miniature Theater of the Air and on a number of soap operas.
She also worked in radio in Europe. Although she was employed by Radio Luxembourg, she was based in London. Her programs were recorded and shipped to Luxembourg for broadcast. After concluding her work in Europe, she returned to Kentucky and wrote scripts for WLAP in Lexington.
Stage Rodgers' early acting experience came in New York when she worked (using the name Sondra Arleaux) in stock theater with Jessie Bonstelle. She appeared on Broadway in Riddle Me This (1933).
Rodgers spent time in Europe studying with playwrights, then returned to the United States, where she directed plays at the Pasadena Playhouse with Gilmour Brown as her supervisor.
Later, in Los Angeles, Rodgers acted in plays, including No Time for Comedy, Heaven Can Wait, Cry Havoc, an dFamily Portrait.
Film Rodgers signed her first film contract, with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, in May 1944. Her film debut came in Marriage Is a Private Affair (1944).
Television Rodgers portrayed Mrs. Appleby in the 1961 episode "A Doctor Comes to Town" of the television series Window on Main Street.. She played the prudish (unnamed) mother of daughters Elmira and Dodie on "Wagon Train" in S1 E18 "The Gabe Carswell Story" which aired 1/14/1958.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1944 Marriage Is a Private Affair Nurse Uncredited1944 Lost in a Harem Zaida Uncredited1945 Keep Your Powder Dry WAC Hodgekins 1945 Anchors Aweigh Jean Uncredited1945 The Hidden Eye Helen Roberts 1946 Up Goes Maisie Uncredited1946 Easy to Wed Attendant 1946 Boys' Ranch Mrs. O'Neill Uncredited1948 Tap Roots Shellie Dabney 1951 As You Were WAC Captain 1963 Tammy and the Doctor First Nurse 1966 Country Boy Mrs. Byrd 1970 Airport Margaret Rogers - Passenger Uncredited, (final film role)
References
Bibliography Erickson, Hal. Military Comedy Films: A Critical Survey and Filmography of Hollywood Releases Since 1918. McFarland, 2012.
External links