Irene Rich

Irene Rich (October 13, 1891 - April 22, 1988) was a distinguished American actress known for her versatile performances in silent films, talkies, and radio. With a career spanning several decades, Rich made significant contributions to the entertainment industry.

Her collaboration with the legendary Will Rogers was noteworthy, as she appeared in eight of his films, including notable titles like *Water Water Everywhere* (1920), *The Strange Boarder* (1920), and *Boys Will Be Boys* (1921). Rich frequently took on the roles of sophisticated society women, which she showcased in the 1925 film adaptation of *Lady Windermere's Fan* and later in *Queen of the Yukon* (1940).

In the latter part of her career, Rich portrayed strong maternal figures, such as the mother of Gail Russell’s character in John Wayne’s *Angel and the Badman* (1947) and Mrs. O’Rourke in John Ford’s *Fort Apache* (1948).

During the 1930s, she transitioned to radio, hosting the popular anthology series *Dear John* (also known as *The Irene Rich Show*) from 1933 to 1944, featuring actor Gale Gordon as her co-star. Rich also showcased her talent on stage in productions like *Seven Keys to Baldpate* (1935) and *As the Girls Go* (1948).

Her remarkable contributions to film and radio earned her two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one honoring her work in motion pictures at 6225 Hollywood Boulevard and the other for her achievements in radio at 6150 Hollywood Boulevard.