Irene Dunne

Irene Dunne, born on December 20, 1898, was an acclaimed American actress who featured in films during Hollywood's Golden Age. Authority of films such as 'Show Boat', 'Cimarron', 'Theodora Goes Wild', 'The Awful Truth', 'Love Affair', 'I Remember Mama', 'Penny Serenade', and 'My Favorite Wife', she amassed significant recognition and respect for her comedic expertise and her affecting dramatic roles. Dunne's career kickstarted when her family relocated from Kentucky to Indiana after her father's death when she was 14. Despite her initial aspiration to become an opera singer, her ultimate trajectory took her towards musicals on Broadway, then to Hollywood, where she made her debut in the musical Leathernecking in 1930. Overall, she starred in 42 movies and received five nominations for the Academy Award for Best Actress. She has often been considered one of the finest actresses never to have won an Academy Award.

In her later years, after concluding her film career in 1952, Dunne dedicated her time to philanthropic efforts. She was chosen by President Dwight D. Eisenhower as a U.S. delegate to the United Nations, promoted world peace, and pointed out refugee-relief programs. She also took this time to be with her family, her husband, dentist Dr. Francis Griffin, and their adopted daughter, Mary Frances. She was honored multiple times for her philanthropic efforts, including honorary doctorates, a Laetare Medal from the University of Notre Dame, and a papal knighthood—Dame of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre. Dunne also received a Kennedy Center Honor for her services to the arts.