Betsy Blair

After work in the theatre, Blair began her film career playing supporting roles in films such as A Double Life (1947) and Another Part of the Forest (1948). Her communist sympathies led to an investigation by the House Un-American Activities Committee, and Blair was blacklisted for some time, but resumed her career with a critically acclaimed performance in Marty (1955), for which she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She continued her career with regular theatre, film and television work, mainly in Europe, until the mid-1990s.

• Name — Betsy Blair • Birth Name — Elizabeth Winifred Boger • Born — 11 December 1923 • Birthplace — Cliffside Park, New Jersey, U.S. • Died — 13 March 2009 • Place of death — London, England • Years Active — 1947–2003 • Known for — * Marty • Calle Mayor • Il Grido • The Guilt of Janet Ames • The Snake Pit • Occupation — Actress • Children — 1

Blair was born in Cliffside Park, New Jersey. Her father, William Kidd Boger, was a partner in a small insurance brokerage firm; her mother, Frederica Ammon, was a schoolteacher. Both were Episcopalians. At the age of eight, she was enrolled in the Swift Sisters School of Dance, and recalled performing before Eleanor Roosevelt in 1933, winning an amateur contest shortly thereafter, joining a touring amateur show, and performing on local radio, as motivating influences in her desire to pursue a dance career. She joined the John Robert Powers modeling agency and by the age of 12 was in regular demand. She enrolled in the Professional Children's School but, as it was not accredited, her mother returned her to her local school so that she might eventually attend college. She graduated at 15, securing a scholarship to Sarah Lawrence College. However, the board of admission considered her too immature for entry and requested she wait one year.

• Illustration — Blair with Borgnine in Marty (1955) In the interim, Blair joined the chorus at the International Casino in Times Square, and when it closed down, worked in the chorus of Billy Rose's Diamond Horseshoe from January 1940 where Gene Kelly was working as choreographer. "Gene fought for me. He said I could dance, and he needed some good dancers," she wrote in her autobiography. Blair and Kelly's relationship blossomed, culminating in their marriage the following year in 1941 when Blair was 17 years old. She and Kelly remained married for 16 years and had one daughter, Kerry Kelly Novick (b. 1942), together before divorcing in 1957. Blair left Rose's show to accept an offer from choreographer Robert Alton to join the chorus of Panama Hattie, an illustrious line-up which included June Allyson, Doris and Constance Dowling, and Vera-Ellen. Alton—who previously discovered Gene Kelly—had spotted her when she unsuccessfully auditioned for a part in Louisiana Purchase. During this period, she developed a strong interest in Marxism, having been introduced to Lloyd Gough by Kelly, and attended Gough's weekly Marxist study group, which Kelly did not attend. "And it was very serious. Our textbook was The History of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union... I was completely enthralled by the ideas." In early 1941, Blair secured her first role in a stage play when Kelly's friend William Saroyan chose her to play the female lead role of St. Agnes of the Mice in his play The Beautiful People at the Lyceum Theatre, playing opposite Eugene Loring, and securing excellent reviews from leading critics George Jean Nathan and Richard Watts, Jr. Watts stated, "The gently sweetly sincere and completely moving gravity and innocence of Miss Blair's utterly right performance is so infinitely touching and beautiful than any studied portrayal could be, that her contribution to the work is gracefully enchanting." In 1945, she understudied the role of Laura Wingfield, played by Julie Haydon, in the original Broadway production of The Glass Menagerie, starring Laurette Taylor.

Blair died of cancer in London on March 13, 2009. She was survived by a daughter, Kerry Kelly Novick, three stepsons and several grandchildren.

• Year — Title — Role — Notes • 1947 — The Guilt of Janet Ames — Katie • A Double Life — Girl in Wig Shop • 1948 — Another Part of the Forest — Birdie Bagtry • The Snake Pit — Hester • 1950 — Mystery Street — Jackie Elcott • No Way Out — Telephone Operator — Uncredited • 1951 — Kind Lady — Ada Elcott • 1955 — Marty — Clara • 1956 — Meeting in Paris — Nancy Blanding • Calle Mayor — Isabel • 1957 — The Halliday Brand — Martha Halliday • Il Grido — Elvia • 1960 — Lies My Father Told Me — Mother • Silver Spoon Set — Countess Margherita Cherè • 1962 — All Night Long — Emily • Careless — Amalia Brentani • 1968 — Marry Me! Marry Me! — Second English Teacher • 1973 — A Delicate Balance — Edna • 1986 — Flight of the Spruce Goose — Helen • Descente aux enfers — Mrs. Burns • 1988 — Betrayed — Gladys Simmons — Final film role

Identity and origins. The authorities additionally record the heading Elizabeth Winifred Boger. Her recorded language was English. She married Gene Kelly and Karel Reisz.