Jean Wallace (born Jean Walasek or Wallasek; October 12, 1923 – February 14, 1990) was an American television and film actress.
Early life Wallace was born on October 12, 1923, in Chicago, Illinois, to John T. Walaszek and Mary A. Walaszek (née Sharkey). Her grandfather Karol Walaszek emigrated from Galicia. She was Polish-American.Migrants, Immigrants, and Slaves: Racial and Ethnic Groups in America By Thompson Dele Olasiji. p. 118.
Wallace graduated from Austin High School in Chicago before the family moved to Hollywood in 1940.
Career
Wallace was a dancer, singer, and showgirl for Earl Carroll. She signed with Paramount Pictures and had her first feature role in Louisiana Purchase.
Personal life Wallace married her Jigsaw costar Franchot Tone on October 18, 1941 in Yuma, Arizona. They had two sons, Pascal "Pat" Franchot Tone, born July 29, 1943, and Thomas Jefferson Tone, born September 16, 1945. Wallace and Tone divorced in 1948, and Tone was awarded custody of their sons.Fowler, Glenn. The New York Times. Obituary, "Jean Wallace, 66, Screen Actress Known for 1940's and 50's Roles", February 18, 1990. Accessed: July 25, 2013. Wallace challenged that status in 1950 because of Tone's relationship with actress Barbara Payton, but a judge in Santa Monica, California, ruled that Tone would retain custody.
Wallace attempted suicide in 1946 by ingesting sleeping pills. In 1949, she again attempted suicide with a self-inflicted knife wound, causing her to be replaced by Ella Raines as the star of A Dangerous Profession.
In 1950, Wallace married former U.S. Army captain Jim Lloyd Randall, but the marriage was annulled later that year.
Wallace's third marriage was to actor Cornel Wilde, her costar in The Big Combo, Storm Fear, Lancelot and Guinevere, Sword of Lancelot and Beach Red, from 1951 to 1981. She and Wilde had one son, Cornel Wallace Wilde, born on December 19, 1967.
She sang the theme song from the movie Beach Red, which Wilde produced and directed as well as starred in.
Wallace died from a gastrointestinal hemorrhage on February 14, 1990 at the age of 66.
Filmography Film Year Film Role Notes1941 Ziegfeld Girl Ziegfeld girl Uncredited Glamour Boy Girl Uncredited Louisiana Purchase Louisiana Belle 1943 Salute for Three Hostess offering Buzz apple from basket 1944 You Can't Ration Love Madge 1946 It Shouldn't Happen to a Dog Bess Williams 1947 Blaze of Noon Poppy 1948 When My Baby Smiles at Me Sylvia Marco Uncredited1949 Jigsaw Barbara Whitfield Alternative title: Gun Moll The Man on the Eiffel Tower Edna Wallace 1950 The Good Humor Man Bonnie Conroy 1951 Native Son Mary Dalton Alternative title: Sangre negra 1954 Star of India Katrina Alternative title: Stella dell'India1955 The Big Combo Susan Lowell Storm Fear Elizabeth 1957 The Devil's Hairpin Kelly James 1958 Maracaibo Laura Kingsley 1963 Lancelot and Guinevere Guinevere Alternative title: Sword of Lancelot 1967 Beach Red Julie MacDonaldAppears in flashback photos; sings the title song 1970 No Blade of Grass Ann Custance (Last appearance) Television Year Title Role Notes 1952 Schlitz Playhouse of Stars 1 episode 1955 General Electric Theater Leslie Mason 1 episode
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