Ann Sothern
She turned a sassy Brooklyn showgirl into a beloved franchise, proving her star power across film, radio, and television for decades.
1909–2001 (age 92)·American actress·Birthday: January 22·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Born Harriette Lake in 1909, Ann Sothern crafted a persona of sparkling wit and resilient charm that made her a fixture of American entertainment. Her early career was a grind of bit parts and Broadway chorus lines, but her big break came in 1939 when MGM cast her as Maisie, a sharp-tongued but golden-hearted showgirl. The character’s immense popularity spawned a ten-film series and a radio show, cementing Sothern as a leading lady who could carry a property. Never confined to one medium, she later found television success with sitcoms like 'Private Secretary' and 'The Ann Sothern Show,' earning Emmy nominations and demonstrating her deft comedic timing. Her later years included a poignant, Oscar-nominated turn in 'The Whales of August,' a testament to her enduring talent. Sothern’s career was a masterclass in adaptability, navigating Hollywood’s shifts from the studio system to the TV age with consistent grace and audience appeal.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Ann was born in 1909, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Ann Was Born
The biggest hits of 1909
Ann's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1909Born
Robert Peary claims to reach the North Pole
President: William Howard Taft
1914Started school
World War I begins
President: Woodrow Wilson
1922Became a teenager
King Tut's tomb discovered in Egypt
President: Warren G. Harding"April Showers" — Al Jolson
1925Could drive
The Scopes Trial debates evolution in schools
Home: $4,366President: Calvin Coolidge"Sweet Georgia Brown" — Ben Bernie
1927Could vote
Lindbergh flies solo across the Atlantic; The Jazz Singer premieres
President: Calvin Coolidge"My Blue Heaven" — Gene Austin
1930Turned 21
Pluto discovered
Gas: $0.20/galHome: $3,510President: Herbert Hoover"Body and Soul" — Paul WhitemanBest Picture: All Quiet on the Western Front
1939Turned 30
World War II begins; The Wizard of Oz premieres
Gas: $0.19/galMin wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Over the Rainbow" — Judy GarlandBest Picture: Gone with the Wind
1949Turned 40
NATO founded; Mao proclaims the People's Republic of China
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $7,450Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Riders in the Sky" — Vaughn MonroeBest Picture: All the King's Men
1959Turned 50
Fidel Castro takes power in Cuba
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $12,400Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"The Battle of New Orleans" — Johnny HortonBest Picture: Ben-Hur
1969Turned 60
Apollo 11: humans walk on the Moon; Woodstock festival
Gas: $0.35/galHome: $15,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Sugar, Sugar" — The ArchiesBest Picture: Midnight Cowboy
1979Turned 70
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1989Turned 80
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
2001Died at 92
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
Key Achievements
- Starred as Maisie Ravier in a popular series of ten MGM films beginning in 1939.
- Successfully transitioned the Maisie character to her own network radio series.
- Received two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for her lead role in the CBS sitcom 'Private Secretary.'
- Earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role in 'The Whales of August' (1987).
Did You Know?
Her mother was a concert singer who taught music to a young Judy Garland.
She turned down the role of Blanche DuBois in the film adaptation of 'A Streetcar Named Desire.'
She owned a cattle ranch in Idaho and was a skilled businesswoman with investments in real estate.
She was the voice of the car, 'KITT,' in the pilot episode of the TV series 'Knight Rider.'
““The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize.””
