Joan Lorring, originally named Mary Madeline Ellis, was a talented actress and singer born in Hong Kong on July 12, 1926. She relocated to Los Angeles with her family during her childhood and quickly made a name for herself in the entertainment industry. As a young performer, she gained recognition under the name "Dellie Ellis," notably starring in the radio series A Date With Judy in 1942. She eventually adopted Joan Lorring as her professional moniker.
Lorring's Broadway career took off in 1950 when she debuted as Marie Buckholder in Come Back Little Sheba, a role that earned her the Donaldson Award for Most Outstanding Female Debut. Her subsequent stage work included performances in The Autumn Garden (1951) and Arthur Laurents’ A Clearing in the Woods (1957). She also graced the Off-Broadway scene in a 1970 production of Awake and Sing!.
On the silver screen, Lorring made her film debut at 18 in Song of Russia and garnered an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Bessy Watty in The Corn Is Green (1945) alongside Bette Davis. She appeared in notable films such as The Bridge of San Luis Rey and Three Strangers.
In the 1950s, she transitioned to television, starring in the series Norby and reprising her acclaimed role in The Corn Is Green. Lorring's later years were marked by a focus on family and minimal appearances in the entertainment industry. She enjoyed a peaceful retirement until her passing on May 30, 2014, in Sleepy Hollow, New York, at the age of 88.
