Linda Ware

Linda Ware (born Beverly Jane Stillwagon, 1925 – 1975) was an American singer and actress who worked in radio, films, and concerts.^[1]

Ware was the daughter of George Stillwagon,^[2] but she spent several years in a Steubenville, Ohio, orphanage,^[3] following her mother's death. In time, her uncle and aunt took her into their home and provided music lessons for her. In 1938, they moved to Hollywood in hopes of finding an opportunity for her in the film industry.^[4]

When she was 12, she was offered a contract to appear in films. That offer led to a court case in which her aunt sought permission to control Ware's career, while her father objected to the proposal.^[2] Although Stillwagon denied having abandoned his daughter when she was 4 years old, the court ruled in the aunt's favor after Ware testified that her father "never so much as bought me an ice cream cone."^[5]

After those legal problems were resolved, Ware was designated to appear in the film The Star Maker.^[6]

In April 1939, Ware's father filed suit in Detroit asking for custody of his daughter. His suit claimed that he had neither known about nor consented to Ware's moving to Hollywood.^[7]

Select filmography[]

The Star Maker (1939)
Paper Bullets (1941)

References[]

^ "For Legit: Musical". Billboard. March 7, 1942. p. 4. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b "Young Singer Pawn In Custody Hearing". The Salt Lake Telegram. Utah, Salt Lake City. International News Service. October 1, 1938. p. 7. Retrieved April 24, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Wins Feature Role". The Salt Lake Telegram. Utah, Salt Lake City. Associated Press. February 22, 1939. p. 9. Retrieved April 24, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Kahn, Alexander (March 25, 1939). "Bits of Gossip About Hollywood Film Folk". Vidette-Messenger of Porter County. Indiana, Valparaiso. United Press. p. 4. Retrieved April 24, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Aunt Wins Battle Over Girl Actor". The Salt Lake Telegram. Utah, Salt Lake City. United Press. October 4, 1938. p. 9. Retrieved April 24, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Child Singer Wins 'Star-Maker' Lead". The Los Angeles Times. California, Los Angeles. October 4, 1938. p. 10. Retrieved April 24, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Father Sues Over Custody Of Actress, 13". The Courier-Journal. Kentucky, Louisville. Associated Press. April 14, 1939. p. 23.