Who was Teresa Wright? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Muriel Teresa Wright

Died At Age: 86

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Niven Busch (m. 1942–52), Robert Anderson (m. 1959–78)

father: Arthur Hendricksen Wright

mother: Martha

children: Mary Kelly Busch (b. 1947), Niven Terrence Busch (b. 1944)

Actresses American Women

Height: 5'3" (160 cm), 5'3" Females

Died on: March 6, 2005

place of death: New Haven, Connecticut, United States

City: Harlem, New York

U.S. State: New Yorkers

Recommended For You

1

What notable films did Teresa Wright star in?

Teresa Wright starred in classic films such as "Mrs. Miniver," "The Best Years of Our Lives," and "Shadow of a Doubt."
2

Did Teresa Wright serve in the military during World War II?

Yes, Teresa Wright took a break from her acting career to work with the Civilian Defense during World War II.
3

Was Teresa Wright known for her versatility as an actress?

Yes, Teresa Wright was praised for her versatility in portraying a wide range of characters in both film and theater.
4

Did Teresa Wright receive any nominations for her stage performances?

Yes, Teresa Wright received a Tony Award nomination for her stage performance in "The Dark at the Top of the Stairs."
5

How did Teresa Wright approach her acting career later in life?

Teresa Wright shifted her focus to television and stage roles later in her career, continuing to showcase her talent and versatility.

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Childhood & Early Life

Muriel Teresa Wright was born on October 27, 1918 in Harlem, New York City to Martha (née Espy) and Arthur Hendricksen Wright, an insurance agent. Her parents separated when she was young and she spent her childhood staying with different relatives.

She attended Columbia High School and became interested in acting as a student. In 1936, she went to watch Helen Hayes perform in ‘Victoria Regina’ at the Broadhurst Theatre in New York City. This incident greatly inspired the young girl and she began playing leading roles in school plays.

She went to the Wharf Theater in Provincetown, Massachusetts, on a scholarship she acquired with the help of a teacher. She apprenticed for two summers and graduated from high school in 1938.

She then went to New York where she was hired as understudy to Dorothy McGuire and Martha Scott for the role of Emily in Thornton Wilder's stage production of ‘Our Town’ at Henry Miller's Theatre.

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Career

Teresa Wright began playing the role of Mary Skinner in the stage play ‘Life with Father’ in 1939. Film producer, Samuel Goldwyn, saw her perform and immediately recognized her potential. He hired her to play the role of Bette Davis' daughter in the 1941 adaptation of Lillian Hellman's ‘The Little Foxes.’

She was much appreciated for her debut performance which earned her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. The next two films—‘The Pride of the Yankees’ (1942) and ‘Mrs. Miniver’ (1942)—were also critically acclaimed ones which made young Teresa a recognized actress in Hollywood.

Her string of successes continued with the acclaimed thriller ‘Shadow of a Doubt’ (1943), directed by Alfred Hitchcock, in which she played an innocent young woman who discovers her uncle is a serial murderer. Her performance in the 1946 movie, ‘The Best Years of Our Lives’, was also well received.

A serious actress from the very beginning, she refused to pose for photograph that would portray her as a sex symbol. She also had several other complaints against the studio system. Her stance, which was viewed as rigid, brought her to conflict with Samuel Goldwyn in 1948 and led to the cancellation of her contract.

Her film career was not as successful in the 1950s. She appeared in a string of unsuccessful films including ‘The Capture’ (1950), ‘Something to Live For’ (1952), ‘California Conquest’ (1952), ‘The Steel Trap’ (1952), ‘Count the Hours’ (1953), and ‘Track of the Cat. (1954).

During the late 1950s she returned to the theatre and also began working frequently in television. Her successful stage plays from this era include ‘The Rainmaker’ (1955) and ‘The Dark at the Top of the Stairs’ (1957).

She remained active on the New York stage throughout the 1960s, playing Mary McKellaway in ‘Mary, Mary’ (1962), Alice in ‘I Never Sang for My Father’ (1968), and Mary Hallen in ‘Who's Happy Now?’ (1969). In addition to her stage work, she also appeared in several television productions including episodes for ‘The Alfred Hitchcock Hour’ (1964), ‘Bonanza’ (1964) and ‘The Defenders’ (1965).

During her later years she focused more on the stage and television though she also appeared in a few films. She played the role of the grandmother in ‘The Good Mother’ (1988) and the role of Miss Birdie in John Grisham's ‘The Rainmaker’ (1997).

Major Works

Teresa Wright impressed the film critics with her performance as Alexandra Giddens in her debut film ‘The Little Foxes.’ She played the role of an innocent and kind-hearted girl who struggles with a villainous and manipulative mother. The role earned her a nomination for Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

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Her role of Carol Beldon in the romantic war drama film ‘Mrs. Miniver’ in 1942 is also counted amongst her most memorable performances. In 2009, the film was named to the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant.

Awards & Achievements

She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Carol Beldon in the film ‘Mrs. Miniver’ in 1942.

Personal Life & Legacy

Teresa Wright was twice married and twice divorced. Her first marriage was to writer, Niven Busch, from 1942 to 1952. They had two children.

She tied the knot for the second time with playwright Robert Anderson in 1959. The couple divorced in 1978 after almost two decades of marriage. However, they maintained a close relationship till the very end.

She died on March 6, 2005, of a heart attack, at the age of 86.

Facts About Teresa Wright

Teresa Wright was the only actress to be nominated for an Academy Award for her first three films.

She took a break from acting to work as a volunteer for the USO during World War II.

She had a passion for gardening and spent much of her free time tending to her plants.

Teresa Wright was a talented seamstress and enjoyed designing and making her own clothes.

Teresa Wright Biography

You wanted to know

What notable films did Teresa Wright star in?

Did Teresa Wright serve in the military during World War II?

Was Teresa Wright known for her versatility as an actress?

Did Teresa Wright receive any nominations for her stage performances?

How did Teresa Wright approach her acting career later in life?