Actor
Donna Reed
Born 27 January 1921 · Denison, Iowa, USA — died 14 January 1986
Donna Reed (1921–1986) was an American actress who moved from MGM ingenue roles to dramatic parts and later television stardom. She is best remembered as Mary Bailey in It's a Wonderful Life and won the Supporting Actress Oscar for From Here to Eternity. She also headlined The Donna Reed Show.
Key films
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)On Cinespective
Her most beloved role, as Mary Bailey opposite James Stewart in Frank Capra's holiday classic.
From Here to Eternity (1953)
Playing against type in a war drama, she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945)
Gothic adaptation of Oscar Wilde in which she played Gladys Hallward, showing range beyond wholesome parts.
They Were Expendable (1945)
John Ford's wartime drama, a prestigious role alongside Robert Montgomery and John Wayne.
The Human Comedy (1943)
Early MGM home-front drama that helped establish her in wholesome young roles.
Key awards
- 1953 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (From Here to Eternity)
- 1963 Golden Globe Award for Best TV Star (The Donna Reed Show)
On Cinespective
Full filmography · 54
- 1941Shadow of the Thin Man · as Molly FordActor
- 1941Babes on Broadway · as Secretary (uncredited)Actor
- 1941The Get-Away · as Maria Theresa 'Terry' O'ReillyActor
- 1942Eyes in the Night · as Barbara LawryActor
- 1942The Courtship of Andy Hardy · as Melodie NesbitActor
- 1942Apache Trail · as Rosalia MartinezActor
- 1942Calling Dr. Gillespie · as Marcia BradburnActor
- 1942The Bugle Sounds · as Sally HansonActor
- 1942Mokey · as Anthea DelanoActor
- 1942Personalities · as (uncredited)Actor
- 1943The Human Comedy · as Bess MacauleyActor
- 1943Thousands Cheer · as Drug Store CustomerActor
- 1943Dr. Gillespie's Criminal Case · as Marcia BradburnActor
- 1943The Man from Down Under · as Mary WilsonActor
- 1943Sucker Bait · as Geraldine - WaitressActor
- 1944Gentle Annie · as Mary LingenActor
- 1944See Here, Private Hargrove · as Carol HolidayActor
- 1944Twenty Years After · as (archive footage)Actor
- 1945The Picture of Dorian Gray · as Gladys HallwardActor
- 1945They Were Expendable · as Lt. Sandy DavyssActor
- 1946It's a Wonderful Life · as Mary HatchActor
- 1946Faithful in My Fashion · as Jean "Chunky" KendrickActor
- 1947Green Dolphin Street · as Marguerite PatourelActor
- 1948Beyond Glory · as Ann DanielsActor
- 1949Chicago Deadline · as Rosita Jean D'UrActor
- 1950Screen Actors · as Self (uncredited)Actor
- 1951Saturday's Hero · as Melissa McCabeActor
- 1952Scandal Sheet · as Julie AllisonActor
- 1952Hangman's Knot · as Molly HullActor
- 1952Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder · as Donna ReedActor
- 1953From Here to Eternity · as Alma 'Lorene' BurkeActor
- 1953The Caddy · as Kathy TaylorActor
- 1953Gun Fury · as Jennifer BallardActor
- 1953Trouble Along the Way · as Alice SingletonActor
- 1953Raiders of the Seven Seas · as AlidaActor
- 1954The Last Time I Saw Paris · as Marion EllswirthActor
- 1954They Rode West · as Laurie MacKayeActor
- 1954Three Hours to Kill · as Laurie MastinActor
- 1954The Big Moment · as DebbieActor
- 1955The Far Horizons · as SacajaweaActor
- 1956Backlash · as Karyl OrtonActor
- 1956Ransom! · as Edith StannardActor
- 1956The Benny Goodman Story · as Alice HammondActor
- 1956Beyond Mombasa · as Ann WilsonActor
- 1958The Whole Truth · as Carol PoultonActor
- 1960Pepe · as Donna ReedActor
- 1979The Best Place to Be · as Sheila CallahanActor
- 1983Deadly Lessons · as Miss WadeActor
- 1987James Stewart: A Wonderful Life · as Self (archive footage)Actor
- 1997Christmas Unwrapped: The History of Christmas · as Mary Bailey (archive footage)Actor
- 1999Television: The First Fifty Years · as Donna Stone (archive footage)Actor
- 2022Say Hey, Willie Mays! · as Self (archive video)Actor
- 2022Rat Pack · as Self (archive footage)Actor
- 2026It’s a Wonderful Night of the Living Dead · as Mary BaileyActor
Filmography data from TMDB. The profile text is a draft written for Cinespective.