Ann Sheridan, born Clara Lou Sheridan, began her acting career at the tender age of 18 after winning the "Search for Beauty" contest, which granted her a Paramount screen test and subsequently a contract with the studio. Initially, she was cast in small roles under her real name, but as her talent and experience grew, her name was changed to Ann. By 1936, after appearing in over two dozen films, Sheridan made the transition to Warner Brothers, where she was dubbed the "Oomph Girl," a moniker she despised despite her physical attributes aptly fitting the label.
As she matured as an actress, Sheridan was given the opportunity to develop into a leading star, effortlessly portraying both the girl-next-door and the tough-as-nails dame. Her versatility led to a wide range of film roles, including numerous comedies and a few forgettable movies, yet her charm and likability with audiences allowed her career to flourish.
Throughout her career, Sheridan delivered notable performances, such as her roles as a singer in Torrid Zone (1940) and a waitress in They Drive by Night (1940). After being dropped by Warner Bros. in 1948, she rebounded with a memorable appearance in Howard Hawks' comedy I Was a Male War Bride (1949) alongside Cary Grant.
Sheridan continued to act in films throughout the 1950s before retiring at the decade's end. In the 1960s, she ventured into television, starring in the soap opera Another World (1964) and the western series Pistols 'n' Petticoats (1966). Tragically, just as her career was experiencing a resurgence with Pistols 'n' Petticoats, Sheridan succumbed to cancer, bringing an abrupt end to her life and career.
