Beaulah Bondi

Who died on this date:

On January 11, 1981, actress Beulah Bondi died. She was born on May 3, 1888 in Valparaiso, Indiana. Her debut movie role was as "Emma Jones" in Street Scene (1931), this was followed by Rain (1932). She was one of the first five women to be nominated for an Academy Award in the newly-created category of "Best Supporting Actress" for her work in The Gorgeous Hussy (1936), although she lost the award to Gale Sondergaard. Two years later, she was nominated again for Of Human Hearts (1938), and lost again, but her reputation as a character actress kept her employed. She would most often be seen in the role of the mother of the star of the film for the rest of her career. Bondi played Jimmy Stewart’s mother in four films: It’s a Wonderful Life, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Of Human Hearts and Vivacious Lady. Bondi never married in real life and died from pulmonary complications due to broken ribs suffered when she tripped over her cat on January 11, 1981. Her remains were cremated and scattered in an unknown location.