Jeanne Crain, the wholesome beauty who starred in several hit films for 20th Century Fox in the '40s, highlighted by an Academy Award nominated performance as a black girl passing for white in Elia Kazan's controversial Pinky (1949), died of a heart attack at her Santa Barbara home on December 14th. She was 78.

Born on May 25, 1925 in Barstow, California, her father was a high school English teacher who relocated his family to Los Angeles when she was still an infant after he took a position with the school district. Attractive from a very young age, Crain began entering beauty contests when she was just 14 and by the time she was 16, she was "Miss Long Beach of 1941." Modeling gigs came soon after, and when she was named "Camera Girl of 1942" by popular exhibitors, Hollywood soon came knocking.

Crain won a bit part in a 20th Century Fox comedy The Gang's All Here (1943) and earned a small contract. She garnered a more prominent part in just her second film Home in Indiana (1944); and by her third film, the World War II saga Winged Victory (1944), Fox knew they had a star on their hands. It was easy to understand why: her vibrant beauty, dimpled smile, slender figure, and fetching charm made her the ideal "girl-next-door" archetype for the young American male during the war and post-war years. True to form, the studio wasted no time in rolling out some fine vehicles for Crain: the salutary Americana of State Fair (1945); the nostalgic, wildly successful Margie (1946); the lilting musical, You Were Meant for Me (1948) opposite Dan Dailey; the wistful comedy An Apartment for Peggy (1948) with William Holden; Joseph Mankiewicz's acclaimed satire A Letter to Three Wives (1949) and finally her Oscar® nominated performance as a light-skinned black girl trying to pass for white in Elia Kazan's daring racial study (for its time) Pinky (1949).

Crain's star faltered slightly in the '50s, despite some good roles, most notably as Ann Gilbreth, the rebellious daughter in the popular family comedy Cheaper by the Dozen (1950); the sequel Bells on their Toes (1952); and as Della in O. Henry's Full House (1952), the "Gift of the Magi" sequence. In the late '50s Crain turned to television with an appearance on Playhouse 90 and as a guest panelist on such popular quiz shows as I've Got a Secret and What's My Line?, before going into semi-retirement to raise her family. Sadly, when Crain did return to the big screen, it was often in forgettable fare like Hot Rods to Hell (1967), and Skyjacked (1972). With few decent roles being offered to this lovely and capable actress, Crain retired from the industry for good in the early '70s. She is survived by sons Paul and Timothy; and daughters Jeanine, Maria and Lisa Binstock.

by Michael T. Toole