Anne Revere
A formidable character actress who won an Oscar playing steadfast mothers, then saw her career derailed for standing up to political bullies.
1903–1990 (age 87)·American actress·Birthday: June 25·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Anne Revere carved a distinct niche in Hollywood's golden age, specializing in portraying women of immense moral fortitude, often in maternal roles that held families—and narratives—together. A stage-trained performer from New York, she brought a grounded, no-nonsense intensity to the screen. Her performance as the mother in "National Velvet" earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, cementing her reputation. But Revere's own principles were as strong as those of her characters. A committed political progressive, she was summoned before the House Un-American Activities Committee during the Red Scare. Refusing to name names, she was blacklisted by the film industry. For years, she returned to the theater, working steadily on Broadway until the blacklist eased. Her return to film in the 1970s was quiet but pointed, a testament to a career and a conscience that refused to be broken.
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.
Anne was born in 1903, 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 Anne Was Born
The biggest hits of 1903
Anne's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1903Born
Wright brothers achieve first powered flight
President: Theodore Roosevelt
1908Started school
Ford Model T goes into production
President: Theodore Roosevelt
1916Became a teenager
The Battle of the Somme claims over a million casualties
President: Woodrow Wilson
1919Could drive
Treaty of Versailles signed; Prohibition ratified
President: Woodrow Wilson
1921Could vote
First commercial radio broadcasts
President: Warren G. Harding"My Man" — Fanny Brice
1924Turned 21
First Winter Olympics held in Chamonix, France
President: Calvin Coolidge"It Had to Be You" — Isham Jones
1933Turned 30
FDR's New Deal launches; Prohibition ends
Gas: $0.18/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Stormy Weather" — Ethel WatersBest Picture: Cavalcade
1943Turned 40
Allies invade Sicily; Battle of Stalingrad ends
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $3,290Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"I've Heard That Song Before" — Harry JamesBest Picture: Casablanca
1953Turned 50
DNA structure discovered by Watson and Crick
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $8,750Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Song from Moulin Rouge" — Percy FaithBest Picture: From Here to Eternity
1963Turned 60
JFK assassinated in Dallas; Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream' speech
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $13,100Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"Sugar Shack" — Jimmy Gilmer & The FireballsBest Picture: Tom Jones
1973Turned 70
US withdraws from Vietnam; Roe v. Wade decided
Gas: $0.39/galHome: $22,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" — Tony Orlando & DawnBest Picture: The Sting
1983Turned 80
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1990Died at 87
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
Key Achievements
- Won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Mrs. Brown in "National Velvet" (1945).
- Received two additional Oscar nominations for her supporting roles in "The Song of Bernadette" and "Gentleman's Agreement".
- Served on the board of the Screen Actors Guild during a tumultuous period in Hollywood.
- Maintained a successful stage career on Broadway, winning a Tony Award for "Toys in the Attic" in 1960.
Did You Know?
She was a direct descendant of American Revolution figure Paul Revere.
She taught drama at the University of Texas after being blacklisted from Hollywood.
Her final film role was in "The Birch Interval" (1976), a drama about a young girl in an Amish community.
She was married to director Samuel Rosen for over 50 years.
“I prefer roles where the character's strength comes from quiet conviction.”
