Doris Davenport

Doris Davenport, also known as Doris Jordan[2] (January 1, 1917 – June 18, 1980) was an American actress in movies of the 1930s and early 1940s.

For the table tennis player, see Doris Jordan (table tennis).
For the poet, see Doris Davenport (poet).

Doris Davenport
Davenport in a Japanese advertisement from the 1940 film The Westerner
Born(1917-01-17)January 17, 1917
Moline, Illinois, U.S.
DiedJune 18, 1980(1980-06-18) (aged 63)
Santa Cruz, California, U.S.
Other namesDoris Jordan (model)
OccupationActress
Years active1934–1940
Notable workThe Westerner
Spouse
Garland Weaver
​
​
(m. 1938; div. 1941)​
[1]

Early years

Davenport was born in Moline, Illinois, and lived in Davenport, Iowa, before she and her mother moved to Los Angeles, California.[3] She wanted to be an actress when she was five years old, and her parents supported that desire by providing voice training and classes in drama.[4]

Career

Davenport's first film was Kid Millions (1934). After that, however, she said, "It looked as if my career had begun and ended all at once."[4]

From 1934 to 1939, she appeared in five films and worked in New York City as a fashion model between films. When she auditioned under the screen name Doris Jordan for the role of Scarlett O'Hara for Gone with the Wind, she did well enough to become one of the finalists for the role.

Despite not winning that major role, Davenport impressed studio head Samuel Goldwyn. In 1940, he gave a lead role to Davenport in the film The Westerner, starring opposite Gary Cooper and Walter Brennan. The same year, she starred in the movie Behind the News opposite Lloyd Nolan. It was her last role. With no other offers following that film, she retired from acting.

Personal life and death

When she worked as a model, Davenport met photographer V. G. Weaver, Jr., and they soon married.[4]

She settled in Santa Cruz, California, where she lived until her death on June 18, 1980, age 63.

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1934Kid MillionsNora aka Toots
1935George White's 1935 ScandalsChorineuncredited
1935The Girl FriendChorus Girl in Playuncredited
1936Born to DanceChorus Girluncredited
1937Thin IceMember of Girls Banduncredited
1939Sorority HouseNeva Simpson
1940The WesternerJane Ellen Mathews
1940Behind the NewsBarbara Shaw

References
  1. "Rhinelander Daily News Archives, Jul 18, 1941, p. 6". newspaperarchive.com. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
  2. Porter, Darwin (2004). Katharine the Great (1907-1950): Secrets of a Lifetime--revealed. Blood Moon Productions, Ltd. p. 332. ISBN 978-0-9748118-0-2. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  3. Graham, Sheilah (September 9, 1940). "From Extra Girl to Star in a Year". St. Louis Globe-Democrat. North America Newspaper Alliance. p. 21. Retrieved October 7, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. Lindeman, Edith (May 13, 1940). "Film Actress Pays Visit To Richmond". Richmond Times Dispatch. p. 7. Retrieved October 7, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
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