Gwen Lee (born Gwendolyn Lepinski; November 12, 1904 – August 20, 1961) was an American stage and film actress. Lee began her career as a model before being discovered and signed to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. She was typically cast in supporting roles. Lee appeared in over 60 films, and she retired in 1938.

Gwen Lee
Lee in 1927
Born
Gwendolyn Lepinski

(1904-11-12)November 12, 1904
DiedAugust 20, 1961(1961-08-20) (aged 56)
Other namesGwendolyn Lee
OccupationActress
Years active1925–1938

Acting career

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Born to Mriette (née Kennedy) and Frank B. Lepinski in Hastings, Nebraska, Lee began her career as a department store model. She was discovered by director Monta Bell while appearing in a stage production.[1] She signed a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1925. The same year, she made her film debut in Lady of the Night, starring Norma Shearer. She followed with roles in Pretty Ladies, starring Zasu Pitts, His Secretary, and The Plastic Age, starring Clara Bow. In 1926, Lee was cast in The Lone Wolfe Returns, starring Bert Lytell and Billie Dove.[2]

In 1928, she was named a WAMPAS Baby Star.[3] Lee continued her career with supporting roles in Laugh, Clown, Laugh and The Actress (both 1928). Her career continued for almost a decade into the era of sound movies. Lee played Marjory in Untamed (1929), with Joan Crawford and Robert Montgomery. She appeared again with Crawford and Marie Prevost in the prison drama Paid (1930). In 1931, she was in The Galloping Ghost, with famed football running back Red Grange, and the crime drama The Lawless Woman, with Vera Reynolds. In 1932, she appeared in the Western Broadway to Cheyenne (1932), with Rex Bell.

By the late 1930s, Lee was appearing in minor film roles, most of which were uncredited. Her later film roles were in Man-Proof and Paroled from the Big House, both in 1938.

Personal life

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Lee was sued by her mother Etta Lepinski, in March 1932. Lee was charged in a petition for guardianship. The lawsuit alleged that Lee was incompetent to handle her affairs, specifically she was incapable of managing her jewellery and personal property, valued in excess of $1,000 (about $17,208 in 2019). The case was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court.[4] Lee's mother dropped the suit in April, citing improvement in her daughter's health.[5] Later that same year, Lee was also sued by two clothiers for nonpayment.[6]

On May 4, 1943, she married George Mence, Jr.[7]

Death

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Lee died on August 20, 1961, age 56, from undisclosed causes in Reno, Nevada.[8]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
1925 Lady of the Night Molly's Friend
Pretty Ladies Fay
His Secretary Clara Bayne Lost film
The Plastic Age Carl's girl Uncredited
Time Flies An Adventuress Short film
Credited as Gwendolyn Lee
1926 The Boy Friend Pettie Wilson Lost film
The Lone Wolf Returns Liane De Lorme
Upstage Dixie Mason
There You Are! Anita Grant Lost film
1927 Women Love Diamonds Roberta Klein
Heaven on Earth Claire Lost film
Orchids and Ermine Ermintrude
Twelve Miles Out Hulda
Adam and Evil Gwen De Vere Lost film
After Midnight Maizie
Her Wild Oat Daisy
1928 Lucky Boy Mrs. Ellis
Sharp Shooters Flossy
Laugh, Clown, Laugh Lucretia
The Actress Avonia Lost film
Diamond Handcuffs Cecile Lost film
A Thief in the Dark Flo Lost film
Show Girl Nita Dugan
The Baby Cyclone Jessie Lost film
A Lady of Chance Gwen
1929 The Duke Steps Out Uncredited
The Man and the Moment Viola
Fast Company Rosie La Clerq Incomplete film
Untamed Marjory
The Hollywood Revue of 1929 Herself
1930 Chasing Rainbows Peggy
Lord Byron of Broadway Bessie
Free and Easy Participant in Bedroom Scene Alternative title: Easy Go
Caught Short Manicurist
Estrellados Herself
Our Blushing Brides Mannequin
Extravagance Sally
Paid Bertha
1931 Inspiration Gaby
The Lawless Woman Kitty Adams
Traveling Husbands Mabel
The Galloping Ghost Irene Courtland
Julius Sizzer Cleo Short film
The Pagan Lady Gwen Willis
West of Broadway Maizie
1932 Alias Mary Smith Blossom
Midnight Morals Dora Cobb
Broadway to Cheyenne Mrs. Myrna Wallace
Boy Oh Boy! Short film
1933 The Intruder Daisy
Song of the Eagle Nails' Girl Uncredited
Corruption Mae
Meet the Baron Small role Uncredited
1934 City Park Maizie, the Hooker
1935 $20 a Week Ann Seymour
One in a Million Kitty Kennedy Alternative title: Dangerous Appointment
A Night at the Opera Driftwood's Dining Companion Uncredited
1936 Absolute Quiet Western Union Operator Uncredited
How to Behave Restaurant Gossip Short film
Uncredited
Fury Mrs. Fred Garrett Uncredited
Libeled Lady Switchboard Operator Uncredited
My Dear Miss Aldrich Hat Saleswoman Uncredited
1937 Give Till It Hurts Telephone Solicitor Short film
Uncredited
Double Wedding Woman in Crowd Uncredited
A Night at the Movies Cashier Short film
Uncredited
Candid Cameramaniacs Drowzina, Otto's Wife Short film
Uncredited
Mannequin Flo Uncredited
1938 Man-Proof Blonde Woman at Fight Uncredited
Pete Smith Specialty: Penny's Party Herself Short film
Paroled from the Big House Binnie Bell Alternative title: Main Street Girl

References

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  1. ^ Shipman Springer, John; Hamilton, Jack D. (1974). They Had Faces Then: Super Stars, Stars, and Starlets Of the 1930s. Castle. p. 308. ISBN 0-890-09568-X.
  2. ^ "Gwen Lee Has Role In "Lone Wolf" Film". The Pittsburgh Press. August 1, 1926. p. 5. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  3. ^ "GWEN LEE IN STEADY UP CLIMB". The Los Angeles Times. April 22, 1928. p. C28.
  4. ^ "Mother Sues Film Actress". The Oakland Tribune. March 11, 1932. p. B7.
  5. ^ "Incompetency Charge Against Gwen Lee Drops". The Los Angeles Times. April 1, 1932. p. A12.
  6. ^ "Cloak and Suit House Action Names Gwen Lee". The Los Angeles Times. October 17, 1932. p. A2.
  7. ^ California Marriage Certificate, 5/4/1943.
  8. ^ Doyle, Billy H. (1999). The Ultimate Directory Of Silent and Sound Era Performers: A Necrology Of Actors and Actresses. Scarecrow Press. p. 321. ISBN 0-810-83547-9.

Additional sources

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  • The Los Angeles Times, Maytime Will Have Ensemble, August 19, 1923, Page III 37.
  • The Los Angeles Times, Gwen Appears, August 14, 1925, Page A9.
  • The Los Angeles Times, Another Discovery, August 30, 1925, Page D18.
  • The Los Angeles Times, Quartet of Beauties Who Will Vie for Eastern Star Cup, Page B2.
  • The Los Angeles Times, Film Displays Fashions, October 20, 1925, Page A11.
  • The Los Angeles Times, Actress Sued On Clothes Account, May 24, 1932, Page A8.
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