Who Is Linda Darnell? Age, Biography and Wiki
Linda Darnell, born on October 16, 1923, remains a celebrated figure in American cinema despite her tragic passing in 1965. Her remarkable talent and timeless beauty made her a leading actress in the 1940s and 1950s, leaving a lasting legacy in Hollywood. Although she has been gone for decades, her work continues to inspire many, and her biography provides insight into her impactful career and personal life.
In 2025, she would have been 102 years old, a testament to the lasting influence of her contributions to the film industry. Darnell's filmography includes beloved classics such as Laura and Forever Amber, showcasing her versatile acting skills and deep emotional range.
| Occupation | Stage Actress |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | October 16, 1923 |
| Age | 41 Years |
| Birth Place | Dallas, Texas, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Libra |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 10 April, 1965 |
| Died Place | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
Popularity
Linda Darnell's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Linda Darnell stood at approximately 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) tall, with a weight that fluctuated during her career, generally around 125 pounds (57 kg). Her measurements were often noted as 36-24-36 inches, which contributed to her status as one of the leading actresses of her time. While exact details on her body stats today are historical and may vary slightly due to the passage of time, her elegance and grace continue to be a subject of admiration.
Aside from her co-starring role opposite Richard Widmark, Stephen McNally and Sidney Poitier in the noir No Way Out (1950), directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, which she later called "the only good picture I ever made," her later films were rarely noteworthy, and her appearances were increasingly sporadic.
Further hampering Darnell's career was the actress's alcoholism and weight gain. Her next film was a Western, Two Flags West (1950). Due to her allergy to horses, she loathed making Westerns, and in addition to her complaints about her "colorless" role, she disliked her co-stars Joseph Cotten and Cornel Wilde.
She was even less enthusiastic about her next film, The 13th Letter (1951), which reunited her with Preminger, and she only took the role because it was an unglamorous one.
Shortly after its release, she was put on suspension for refusing a role in the film The Guy Who Came Back (1951) opposite Paul Douglas and Joan Bennett because it felt "too similar." She later consented to take on the glamor role, but she refused to bleach her hair for it.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status (Boyfriend / Girlfriend / Husband / Wife)
Throughout her life, Linda Darnell experienced various relationships that were often the talk of Hollywood. She was married twice, first to actor Russell Roberts and later to producer and director, Charles R. Rogers. Linda had a daughter, named Amber, who has often spoken about her mother's legacy and influence on her life.
As of 2025, while speculation and interest in her relationships have persisted, it is vital to recognize her historical context rather than projecting contemporary relationship norms. Darnell remains a symbol of fierce independence in her personal life amidst a challenging industry.
Linda Darnell (born Monetta Eloyse Darnell; October 16, 1923 – April 10, 1965) was an American actress. Darnell progressed from modelling as a child to acting in theatre and film.
At the encouragement of her mother, she made her first film in 1939, and appeared in both lead and supporting roles in big-budget films for 20th Century Fox throughout the 1940s. She co-starred with Tyrone Power in four films, including the classic The Mark of Zorro (1940).
Her biggest commercial success was the controversial Forever Amber (1947), an adaptation of the best-selling novel of the 1940s and Fox's biggest hit of 1947. She won critical acclaim for her work in Summer Storm (1944), Hangover Square (1945), Fallen Angel (1945), Unfaithfully Yours (1948), A Letter to Three Wives (1949), and No Way Out (1950).
Net Worth and Salary
Linda Darnell's financial success during her lifetime was notable. At the height of her career, she was one of the top-grossing actresses at the box office. Estimates of her net worth at the time of her death were approximately $1 million, which would translate to a significantly larger figure today considering inflation and her ongoing legacy in film. Although she passed away early, her estate still generates income from classic film screenings and memorabilia.
Although originally wanting to become an actress on the stage, Darnell was featured in a Gateway to Hollywood talent search and initially landed a contract at RKO Pictures. There was no certainty, though, and she soon returned to Dallas. When 20th Century-Fox offered her a part, Darnell wanted to accept, but RKO was unwilling to release her.
Nevertheless, by age 15 she was signed to a contract at 20th Century-Fox and moved to a small apartment in Hollywood all alone on April 5, 1939. With production beginning in April 1939, she was featured in her first film, Hotel for Women (1939), which had newspapers immediately hailing her as the newest star of Hollywood.
Loretta Young was originally assigned to play the role, but she demanded a salary which the studio would not give her. Darryl F. Zanuck instead cast Darnell "because he felt that the name would advertise her beauty and suggest a Latin quality that matched her coloring."
Career, Business and Investments
Darnell's career took off in the late 1930s, and she rapidly became a household name in the 1940s. Her incredible talent allowed her to work alongside major stars and directors, establishing her as one of the most recognizable figures during Hollywood's golden age.
In addition to acting, she also explored opportunities in producing and the business side of filmmaking. Even after her untimely death, her films continue to earn royalties, with ongoing interest in classic cinema ensuring her status as a cultural icon remains unshakeable.
The studio was unable to find Darnell suitable roles. In late 1940, Fox chose her for the main role in Song of the Islands (1942), a Hawaiian musical film which eventually starred Betty Grable. After Blood and Sand, she was set to co-star with Claudette Colbert in Remember the Day (1941), but another actress was eventually cast.
Meanwhile, she was considered for the female lead in Swamp Water (1941), but Anne Baxter was later assigned the role.
Darnell was disappointed and felt rejected; she later said: "Right under your very nose someone else is brought in for that prize part you wanted so terribly." Months passed by without any work, and in August 1941 she was cast in a supporting role in the musical Rise and Shine (1941).
The film was a setback in her career, and she was rejected for a later role because she refused to respond to Darryl F. Zanuck's advances. Instead, she contributed to the war effort, working for the Red Cross and selling war bonds. She was also a regular at the Hollywood Canteen.
Social Network
While Linda Darnell did not have social media in her time, her influence continues to live on through various platforms dedicated to classic film and vintage Hollywood. Fans and film enthusiasts celebrate her life and work through social media groups, pages, and forums where classic movies are discussed. In 2025, she is celebrated across these platforms, with dedicated fan pages and analyses of her work.
Although only 15 at the time, Darnell posed as a 17-year-old and was listed as 19 years old by the studio. According to columnist Louella O. Parsons, Darnell was "so young, so immature and so naive in her ideas" and was very loyal to her boss, Darryl F. Zanuck.
Her true age came out later in 1939, and she became one of the few actresses under the age of 16 to serve as leading ladies in films. While working on Hotel for Women, Darnell was cast alongside Henry Fonda and Claudette Colbert in Drums Along the Mohawk (1939) in June 1939.
She was later replaced because the studio felt her role was not important enough. In an interview during production of Hotel for Women, which lasted until June, Darnell admitted that movie making was not what she expected: "I'm learning what really hard work is.
At home in Dallas I used to sprawl on the lawn and dream about the nice, easy time the screen stars must be having in Hollywood, but the last two months have taught me quite another story."
Education
Linda Darnell’s formal education was limited due to her early entry into the film industry; however, her life experiences, combined with the vibrant community of filmmakers she was a part of, served as her education. She gained significant insight into acting, performance, and the entertainment business from her peers throughout her career.
Since Darnell was underage when she arrived in Hollywood, she was tutored on set. She planned on attending graduation ceremonies at Sunset High School, but she was excluded from them and instead graduated from University High School in 1941. Her work schedules prohibited her from enrolling in a university. She is a member of the Sunset High School Hall of Fame.
