Lynn Cartwright Explained

Lynn Cartwright
Birth Name:Doralyn E. Cartwright
Birth Date:1927 2, mf=yes
Birth Place:McAlester, Oklahoma, U.S.
Death Place:Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting Place:Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Occupation:Actress
Years Active:1955 - 1992
Notable Works:A League of Their Own
Children:1
Father:Wilburn Cartwright

Lynn Cartwright (born Doralyn E. Cartwright; February 27, 1927  - January 2, 2004) was an American character actress known for her performance as the older version of Geena Davis' character, Dottie Hinson, in the 1992 film A League of Their Own.

Early years

Cartwright was born in McAlester, Oklahoma, the daughter of U.S. Congressman Wilburn Cartwright[1] and his wife Carrie (née Staggs). She studied drama at Stephens College and at American Academy in New York.[1]

Career

Her acting career spanned from 1957 to 1992 and included smaller roles in films such as Black Patch (1957), The Cry Baby Killer (1958), The Wasp Woman (1959), All the Loving Couples (1969), Son of Hitler (1978) and Lovelines (1984). For 15 years, she was involved with the Group Repertory Theater in Los Angeles.

Cartwright was chosen for the role in A League of Their Own not just because she closely resembled Geena Davis, but also because many of her mannerisms were similar.[2]

Personal life

Cartwright was married to actor and screenwriter Leo Gordon from February 14, 1950, until his death on December 24, 2000.[3] She had a daughter, Tara, and a stepdaughter.

Death

She died in her home from complications of dementia on January 2, 2004, aged 76, after she fractured her hip.[4] Her ashes and those of her husband are together in a memorial display in a columbarium at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles.

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
1957Black Patch Kitty
1958Alfred Hitchcock Presents Jean Sobel Season 3 Episode 19: "The Equalizer"
1958The Cry Baby Killer Julie
1958Queen of Outer Space Venusian Girl #4
1959Highway PatrolMargret BakerSeason 4, Episode 34: "Express Delivery"
1959The Wasp Woman Maureen Reardon
1960The Apartment Elevator Supervisor with Clicker Uncredited
1965The Girls on the Beach Waitress Uncredited
1969All the Loving Couples Natalie
1969The Erotic Adventures of Robin Hood Lady Sallyforth
1971Adam-12Jessica CaldwellEpisode: "Million Dollar Bluff"
1972Class of '74 Marsha
1972Where Does It Hurt?
1975Adam-12Jan CartwrightEpisode: "Gus Corbin"
1978The Seniors Miss Creighton
1978The Lucifer Complex Assistant Brunner
1979Son of Hitler Annie
1984Lovelines Mrs. Woodson
1987The Garbage Pail Kids Movie Fashion Show Host
1992A League of Their Own Older Dottie Hinson (final film role)

References

  1. News: Zylstra . Freida . Lynn Cartwright from stage to screen to skillet . February 17, 2021 . Chicago Tribune . 74. Newspapers.com.
  2. News: Marx. Andy. MOVIES: Off-Centerpiece: Hey, Wait a Darned Minute! That Can't Possibly Be Geena. April 20, 2018. Los Angeles Times. July 5, 1992.
  3. Book: Wilson . Scott . Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons, 3d ed. . August 19, 2016 . McFarland . 978-1-4766-2599-7 . 288 . February 17, 2021 . en.
  4. News: Lynn Cartwright, 76; Character Actress in Films and Television . February 17, 2021 . The Los Angeles Times . Associated Press . January 10, 2004 . B 16. Newspapers.com.