Carole Mathews

Carole Mathews
Mathews in Treasure of Ruby Hills (1955)
Born
Jean Deifel

September 13, 1920
Montgomery, Illinois, United States
Died November 6, 2014 (aged 94)
Other names Jeanne Francis
Occupation Actress
Years active c. 1940 – 1978

Carole Mathews (born Jean Deifel, also credited as Jeanne Francis; September 13, 1920 – November 6, 2014) was an American film and television actress.

Early years

Born in Montgomery, Illinois, near Chicago, Mathews lived with her grandmother after her parents divorced. She attended elementary schools in Aurora, Illinois, and obtained her secondary education at Calumet High School in Chicago. After graduation from high school, she entered a nunnery in Milwaukee. Her grandmother made her leave it, however, telling her to wait until she was 21.

In 1938, Matthews was named "Miss Chicago" and, in doing so, qualified for a trip to California and a screen test. While in California, she auditioned for the Earl Carroll Follies and won a role in the show for 1939.

Matthews attended the Chicago Conservatory of Music and Drama, where she studied ballet, voice, and drama. She also hosted a WGN radio program, Breakfast Time with Carole Mathews. Soon she was engaged in modeling.

Film

In 1939, Mathews had some bit parts in films, using the name Jeanne Francis.

Stage

Mathews appeared on Broadway as Karen Jackson in With a Silk Thread (1950).

Filmography

Source

Later years

Death

Mathews, at age 94, died on November 6, 2014.