Constance Dowling
| Constance Dowling | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
July 24, 1920 New York City, New York, United States |
| Died |
October 28, 1969 (aged 49) Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Spouse(s) |
Ivan Tors (m.1955-1969) |
Constance Dowling (July 24, 1920 - October 28, 1969) was an American model turned actress of the 1940s and 1950s.
Early life and career
Born in New York City, Dowling was a model and chorus girl before moving to California in 1943. She was the elder sister of actress Doris Dowling.[1] Prior to her move to Hollywood, Dowling appeared in several Broadway productions, including Panama Hattie (with sister Doris), Hold On To Your Hats, and The Strings, My Lord, Are False.[2] Dowling began her screen career appearing in Up in Arms (1944) for Samuel Goldwyn. She appeared in a few films after that, including the film noir Black Angel (1946) but her film career did not advance.
Dowling lived in Italy in 1947 through 1950 and appeared in some unmemorable Italian films. Dowling returned to Hollywood in the 1950s and landed a part in the sci-fi film Gog, her last film.
Personal life
Dowling had been involved in a long affair with married director Elia Kazan in New York. He couldn't bring himself to leave his wife and the affair ended when Dowling went to Hollywood under contract to Goldwyn.[3] She was later linked with Italian poet/novelist Cesare Pavese who committed suicide in 1950 after being rejected by Dowling. One of his last poems is entitled "Death will come and she'll have your eyes".[4][5]
In 1955, Dowling married film producer Ivan Tors, with whom she had three sons: Steven, David, and Peter Tors, as well as a foster child, Alfred Ndwego of Kenya. She retired from acting after this marriage.[6]
Death
On October 28, 1969, Dowling died at the age of 49 of a heart attack.[6]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Other notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1944 | Up in Arms | Nurse Lt. Mary Morgan | |
| Knickerbocker Holiday | Tina Tienhoven | ||
| 1946 | The Well-Groomed Bride | Rita Sloane | |
| Black Angel | Mavis Marlowe | ||
| Boston Blackie and the Law | Dinah Moran | Alternative title: Blackie and the Law | |
| 1947 | Addio Mimí! | Student | Alternative title: Her Wonderful Lie |
| Blind Spot | Evelyn Green | ||
| The Flame | Helen Anderson | ||
| 1948 | Città dolente | Lubitza | Alternative title: City of Pain |
| 1949 | Duello Senza Onore | Olga | Alternative title: Duel Without Honor |
| Follie Per l'Opera | Margaret Jones | Alternative title: Mad About Opera | |
| Una Voce nel tuo Cuore | Dolly | Alternative title: A Voice in your Heart | |
| 1950 | Miss Italia | Lilly | |
| La Strada finisce sul fiume | Barbara | Alternative title: Stormbound | |
| 1951 | Nash Airflyte Theatre | TV, 1 episode | |
| Pulitzer Prize Playhouse | TV, 1 episode | ||
| The Adventures of Ellery Queen | TV, 1 episode | ||
| Cosmopolitan Theatre | TV, 1 episode | ||
| 1951–1952 | Lights Out | TV, 2 episodes | |
| 1953–1954 | City Detective | TV, 2 episodes | |
| 1954 | Gog | Joanna Merritt | |
| 1955 | Fireside Theater | Betty | TV, 1 episode |
References
- ↑ Saxon, Wolfgang (2004-06-28). "Doris Dowling, 81, Is Dead; Known for Classic Films of 40's". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
- ↑ "Constance Dowling, 49, Is Dead; Acted on Broadway and in Films". The New York Times. Reuters. 1969-10-29. p. 52. Retrieved 2009-02-05.
- ↑ Schickel, Richard (1988-05-09). "Incaution on A Grand Scale Elia Kazan: A Life". Time. p. 2. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
- ↑ di Vincenzo, Ludovica (2014). "Death will come and she'll have your eyes - The Times Stephen Spender Prize 2013 (commended)". Stephen Spender Trust. Retrieved 2014-02-07.
- ↑ Williamson, Alan (1997-09-10). "Pavese's late love poems". The American Poetry Review. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "The Private Life and Times of Constance Dowling". glamourgirlsofthesilverscreen.com. Retrieved 2008-07-02.
External links
- Constance Dowling at the Internet Movie Database
- Constance Dowling at the Internet Broadway Database
- Constance Dowling at Find a Grave
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