Joan Crawford was an American actress. Starting as a dancer in traveling theatrical companies before debuting on Broadway, Crawford was signed to a motion picture contract by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1925.
Joan Crawford was one of the most influential and successful actresses of Hollywood’s Golden Age. She rose from a humble background to become a star of the silver screen, appearing in more than 80 films and winning an Academy Award for her performance in Mildred Pierce (1945). She was known for her versatility, professionalism, and dedication to her craft, as well as her glamorous image and personal style. She was also a savvy businesswoman who negotiated her own contracts and invested wisely in real estate and other ventures. She was involved in various charitable causes and supported the US military during World War II. She was married four times and adopted four children, whom she raised with strict discipline and high expectations. She had a tumultuous relationship with her eldest daughter, Christina, who later wrote a controversial memoir, Mommie Dearest (1978), that portrayed Crawford as an abusive and narcissistic mother. Crawford’s legacy as an actress and a cultural icon remains strong, as she is widely regarded as one of the greatest female stars of all time.