Claudette Colbert was one of America's first movie stars, although she was born in France and started her career on Broadway. Colbert was known for her comedic chops, but impressed critics and fans for her ability to tackle dramatic roles as well.
She worked for nearly 70 years in the industry between the 1920s and 1980s, culminating in being named in the American Film Institute's list of "America's Greatest Legends" as one of the top 25 females in cinema history.
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Here are seven roles that helped define Claudette Colbert's career.
1. Ellie, "It Happened One Night" (1934)
Colbert's one and only Oscar win came from "It Happened One Night" but she almost wasn’t there to accept her award because, in her words, "I was convinced that we could not win because a comedy had never won — so convinced, that I was actually boarding for Santa Fe Super Chief for New York when I was whisked back to the Baltimore Hotel to accept the Oscar while they held the train." It also marked the first time she played opposite Clark Gable.
2. Marilyn, "The Gilded Lily" (1935)
Although underrated, "The Gilded Lily" marked an important milestone in Colbert's career as it was the first time she played alongside Fred MacMurray. They went on to make six more films together, according to Turner Classic Movies.
3. Elizabeth, "Tomorrow Is Forever" (1946)
Since America was still reeling from World War II, this film hit home for many as Colbert's character is told her husband was killed in World War I had just only to find out 20 years later that he was still alive.
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4. Betty, "The Egg and I" (1947)
Colbert's role as the uprooted Manhattanite wife forced to join her new husband on an adventure – to a farm in upstate New York that he bought without her knowledge. Colbert has been called more than once a lucky charm for her cast mates, which this movie showcases since the "May and Pa Kettle" characters played by Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride went on to make eight more spinoffs.
5. Gerry, "The Palm Beach Story" (1942)
When this film was re-released on Blu-ray,
the New York Post noted that "screwball queen Claudette Colbert in top form" opposite Joel McCrea's Tom — yes, like the cat and mouse duo Tom and Jerry.
6. Mrs. Anne Hilton, "Since You Went Away" (1944)
This movie is a notable milestone in Colbert's career because it was the first time she played an "older" character.
As the Hollywood Revue states, "Colbert was initially hesitant to take on the part of Anne Hilton because she wasn't sure if she wanted to be seen as old enough to be the mother of teenage daughters."
7. Alice Grenville, "The Two Mrs. Greenvilles" (1987)
This role marked the last in Colbert's storied career — and it marked the first time she'd been on screen in 25 years opposite Ann-Margret.
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