Jane Wyman Biography

Sarah Wyman was an American singer and actress who had a long and distinguished career in Hollywood spanning nearly seven decades. She began her career as a singer on the radio under the name Jane Durrell. Later, she started appearing in small film roles, using the name Sarah Jane Fulks. After signing a contract with Warner Brothers, she adopted the stage name Jane Wyman and acted in both A- and B-grade movies. Wyman earned four Oscar nominations for Best Actress during her illustrious career. Her childhood was challenging; her mother had to care for her ailing father, who passed away when Sarah was just four years old. Following his death, she accompanied her mother to Los Angeles in search of work. Despite her efforts to secure a job in the studios, the "snub-nosed" young girl was turned away and eventually returned to St. Joseph. She was later adopted by the Fulks couple, providing her with a stable home where she could find peace. In an interview, Wyman reflected on surviving four different phases of Hollywood's changing trends: the "brassy blonde" era, musicals, high dramas, and the advent of television. She credited her resilience for enduring in an industry notorious for exploiting and discarding talent.