Paulette Goddard
A sharp-witted, independent star of Hollywood's golden age who navigated fame on her own terms and became a global socialite.
1910–1990 (age 80)·American actress·Birthday: June 3·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Paulette Goddard's journey from a Ziegfeld Follies showgirl to a top-billed Hollywood actress was a masterclass in ambition and savvy. Discovered by Charlie Chaplin, she became his partner on and off screen, starring in modern classics like 'Modern Times' and 'The Great Dictator.' Goddard possessed a sparkling, modern energy that set her apart from more demure stars; she was feisty, intelligent, and utterly self-possessed. After leaving Chaplin, she forged a successful career at Paramount, holding her own alongside leading men like Bob Hope and Ray Milland. Her life off-screen was equally storied, marked by high-profile marriages and a jet-setting existence that made her a permanent fixture in the international glitterati.
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.
Paulette was born in 1910, 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 Paulette Was Born
The biggest hits of 1910
Paulette's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1910Born
Halley's Comet makes its closest approach
President: William Howard Taft
1915Started school
The Lusitania is sunk by a German U-boat
President: Woodrow Wilson
1923Became a teenager
The Great Kanto earthquake devastates Tokyo
President: Calvin Coolidge"Yes! We Have No Bananas" — Billy Jones
1926Could drive
Robert Goddard launches the first liquid-fueled rocket
President: Calvin Coolidge"Baby Face" — Jan Garber
1928Could vote
Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin; Mickey Mouse debuts
President: Calvin Coolidge"Ol' Man River" — Paul WhitemanBest Picture: Wings
1931Turned 21
The Empire State Building opens as the world's tallest
Gas: $0.17/galPresident: Herbert Hoover"Minnie the Moocher" — Cab CallowayBest Picture: Cimarron
1940Turned 30
The Blitz: Germany bombs London
Gas: $0.18/galHome: $2,938Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"I'll Never Smile Again" — Tommy DorseyBest Picture: Rebecca
1950Turned 40
Korean War begins
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $7,354Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Goodnight Irene" — Gordon Jenkins & The WeaversBest Picture: All About Eve
1960Turned 50
Kennedy-Nixon debates become first televised presidential debates
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $11,900Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Theme from A Summer Place" — Percy FaithBest Picture: The Apartment
1970Turned 60
First Earth Day; The Beatles break up
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $17,000Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Bridge over Troubled Water" — Simon & GarfunkelBest Picture: Patton
1980Turned 70
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1990Turned 80
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
- Starred as the vibrant female lead in Charlie Chaplin's landmark films 'Modern Times' and 'The Great Dictator.'
- Received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role in 'So Proudly We Hail!' in 1943.
- Became one of Paramount Pictures' most popular leading actresses in the 1940s, headlining numerous comedies and dramas.
- Was one of the highest-paid actresses in the world during the peak of her career in the mid-1940s.
Did You Know?
She was famously considered a top contender for the role of Scarlett O'Hara in 'Gone with the Wind.'
Her marriage to Charlie Chaplin was never legally proven, leading to lifelong speculation about its validity.
She was married to author Erich Maria Remarque, who wrote 'All Quiet on the Western Front.'
She was a close friend and neighbor of surrealist artist Salvador Dalí in New York.
“I was never just a pretty face; I fought for every part I got.”
