Donnie Dunagan

Born in the midst of the Great Depression in the state of Texas, Donnie Dunagan embarked on a journey with his parents to the vibrant city of Memphis at a very young age. It was in this new environment that a neighbor, possessing a keen eye for talent, took it upon themselves to teach the three-year-old Donnie the art of tap dancing. This newfound skill would soon lead to a significant milestone in Donnie's life, as he entered a talent contest at the prestigious Orpheum Theatre and emerged victorious, claiming a prize of one hundred dollars. The attention garnered from this achievement did not go unnoticed, as a movie talent scout in attendance arranged for the family to travel by train to the city of Hollywood. This chance encounter would ultimately pave the way for Donnie's debut in the film industry, with his first role coming in the 1938 production "Mother Carey's Chickens".