Edith Evanson
Biography
Edith Evanson (née Carlson), born on April 29, 1896, in Tacoma, Washington, was a notable American actress who flourished during Hollywood's Golden Age. Her upbringing in a religious household, with her father serving as a Protestant clergyman, instilled in her a strong sense of faith that she carried throughout her life. Before stepping into the entertainment industry, she worked as a court reporter in Bellingham.
On March 15, 1923, Edith married Morris Otto Evanson, and the couple remained childless throughout their lives. She made her cinematic debut in an uncredited role in "The Man Who Wouldn't Talk" (1940), and throughout the 1940s, she often portrayed supporting characters such as maids, busybodies, landladies, and secretaries. Her filmography includes appearances in classics like "Citizen Kane" (1941), "Blossoms in the Dust" (1941), "Woman of the Year" (1942), "I Remember Mama" (1948), and "The Day the Earth Stood Still" (1951). In her career, she shared the screen with legendary actors like Orson Welles, Katharine Hepburn, and Joan Crawford.
With the rise of television in the late 1940s, Evanson expanded her repertoire, featuring in numerous popular shows such as "Alfred Hitchcock Presents," "The Loretta Young Show," and "Lassie." After retiring from acting, she resided in Riverside, California, until her passing on November 29, 1980, due to heart failure. Her ashes were lovingly scattered in the Pacific Ocean.
Filmography
View all
Rawhide
1951
The Stranger Wore a Gun
1953
The Jade Mask
1945 • Louise Harper
Toby Tyler or Ten Weeks with a Circus
1960 • Aunt Olive
The Damned Don't Cry
1950 • Mrs. Castleman
Journey to the Center of the Earth
1959 • Innkeeper
Singapore
1947
Reunion in France
1942
The Quiet Gun
1957
Shane
1953
Twice-Told Tales
1963 • Lisabetta, the landlady
Rope
1948 • Mrs. Wilson
Elephant Stampede
1951 • Miss Banks
The Day the Earth Stood Still
1951 • Mrs. Crockett, landlady
Marnie
1964
Woman of the Year
1942