Getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is no small feat as it is likened to imprinting one’s name in the sands of time. The terrazzo or brass stars are permanently fixed into the walkways as a testament to those who have made giant strides and significant achievements in the entertainment industry. Ann Sothern, an American actress and singer have two stars on the Hollywood walk of fame – one for motion pictures and the other for television. In view of that, it’d be ridiculous for anyone to assert that her career wasn’t successful. Beyond her career attainments, the following are the things one ought to know about the actress.
Ann Sothern Bio
Born Harriette Arlene Lake in Valley City, North Dakota, the U.S.A on January 22, 1909; her father Walter J. Lake worked as an importer and exporter while her mother, Annette Yde, was a singer who performed mostly at concerts. Ann Sothern and her two younger sisters were brought up in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She attended the Minneapolis Central High school and thereafter had her university education at the University of Washington in Seattle, although she dropped out after a year.
She was very good at the piano which she started learning when she was five. Ann went on to even study at McPhail School of Music where her mum was a teacher. She excelled in music composition winning the annual Minnesota contest for music composers at the student level for three consecutive years while still in high school. Upon her parents’ divorce, her mum relocated to Los Angeles working as a voice coach for the prestigious Warner Bros. Studio.
Ann Sothern began her film career in 1927 featuring as an extra in the movie ‘Broadway Nights’ and then in other films. She continued playing bit-parts until 1933 when she was recruited to feature in ‘Let’s Fall in Love’ by Columbia Pictures. Harry Cohn, the then co-founder and president of Columbia Pictures changed her name from Harriette Arlene Lake to Ann Sothern in memory of both her mum and E.H Sothern (American Shakespearian Actor). After being dropped by Columbia Pictures in 1936, she set out for RKO although the jobs she got were still for low budget commercial films just like the ones she got at Columbia Pictures.
In 1938, she got her first major breakthrough shortly after featuring in ‘Trade Winds’ which landed her a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The following year, she got her first lead role in ‘Maisie’ which went on to become a successful hit series running up until 1947. In 1953, after featuring in a number of successful films, she moved on to television starting off in ‘Private Secretary’. The next year after Private Secretary was canceled, the American born actress starred in the ‘Ann Sothern Show’ which was another sitcom she did for Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS). Also, she worked as a voice artist playing the lead character in ‘My Mother the Car’ which was a comedy show.
The Hollywood star retired to her home in Ketchum, Idaho in 1987 owing to health-related issues. Her last film appearance was in ‘The Whales of August’ which got her an Academy Award nomination.
What Is Her Net Worth?
Following a successful career of nearly 60 years in film and television, the talented American actress was able to amass great wealth for herself. Her net worth was placed somewhere around an estimated value of $16 million.
Ann Sothern’s Spouse and Kids
Ann married fellow American actor Roger Pryor in 1936. They later finalized their divorce in May 1943, two years after they separated over allegations of cruelty. Their union didn’t produce any offspring. Shortly after divorcing Roger, she got married to Robert Sterling, a film and television actor.
Ann Sothern had only one child in her lifetime and it was with Robert Sterling. Patricia Ann ‘Tisha’ Sterling was born on the 10th of December 1944 in Los Angeles, California. Just like her parents, she became an actress.
Body Measurements
There have been lots of speculations regarding the body measurements of the multiple Primetime Emmy Award nominee. Ann Sothern couldn’t be said to be tall with her height of 5 ft. 1 inch. She weighed 67 kg even though it was rumored that she gained some weight shortly before her death. Her bust and hip sizes were 35 and 36 inches respectively.
Ann Sothern Death
The Golden Globe Award winner died at her home in Ketchum, Idaho on March 15th, 2001. According to medical reports, she died of congestive heart failure. She was 92 when she died and was buried at the Ketchum Cemetery.
