Helen Beverley

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Helen Beverley (November 9, 1916 – July 15, 2011) was an American film and stage actress, who began her career in Yiddish theater and films.[1] She was sometimes credited as Helen Beverly.

Early life[]

Beverley was born in Boston, Massachusetts, the daughter of Russian-Jewish immigrants, Anna and Louis Smuckler.[2][3]

Career[]

Beverley began her career in Yiddish theater and the Yiddish-language films, including a starring role in Peretz Hirshbein's Green Fields in 1937.[1] Screenwriter Hirshbein adapted the film from his 1916 play of the same name and cast Beverley in the lead role.[1] The National Center of Jewish Cinema has praised Green Fields, saying the film "heralded the Golden Age of Yiddish cinema."[1]

She next starred in The Light Ahead, a 1939 film directed by Edgar G. Ulmer and filmed in New Jersey.[1] She also appeared in the 1940 Yiddish film, Overture to Glory about a cantor.[1][4][5] Her sole Broadway role was in Clean Beds in 1939.[5]

Beverley began appearing in mainstream English language Hollywood films during the 1940s.[5] her credits from this period included Black Magic in 1944; The Master Race, a 1944 film about the dangers of Nazi Germany;[1] and Stairway for a Star, a 1947 musical.[5] She continued to appear in smaller film roles during the 1950s, including The Robe as Rebecca and The Shrike in 1955.[1] She appeared in an episode of the television series, The Rifleman, in 1960.[1] Her last film appearance was in the 1961 film Ada.[1][5]

Family[]

Beverley married actor Lee J. Cobb in 1940. They had two children, son Vincent and daughter, actress Julie Cobb, before their 1952 divorce.[6]

Death[]

Beverley died at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Los Angeles, California, on July 15, 2011, aged 94.[4] She was survived by her son and daughter, and a granddaughter.[5] Her interment was at Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery.

Filmography[]

Year Title Role Notes
1937 Green Fields Tzineh - 'Tsine'
1939 The Light Ahead Hodel (the blind)
1940 Overture to Glory Wanda Mirova
1944 Black Magic Norma Duncan / Nancy Wood
1944 The Master Race Mrs. Martha Varin
1947 Stairway for a Star Jane Adams
1953 The Robe Rebecca Uncredited
1954 Playgirl Anne
1955 The Shrike Miss Thatcher Uncredited
1961 Ada Mrs. Stauton Uncredited

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Actress Helen Beverley dies at 94". Variety. 2011-07-23. Retrieved 2011-08-09.
  2. ^ Dewey, Donald (18 February 2014). Lee J. Cobb: Characters of an Actor. ISBN 9780810887725.
  3. ^ https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MF9Q-MPV[bare URL]
  4. ^ a b "Passings: Joe Lee Wilson, Helen Beverley, Martin Weinberger, Jolene Combs". Los Angeles Times. 2011-07-23. Retrieved 2011-08-09.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Simonson, Robert (2011-07-26). "Helen Beverley, Yiddish Theatre Actress, Dies at 94". Playbill.com. Archived from the original on 2012-10-21. Retrieved 2011-08-09.
  6. ^ "Lee J. Cobb Biography". Biography.com. Archived from the original on May 21, 2010. Retrieved June 11, 2018.

External links[]

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