Frances Gifford's entry into the movie industry was unconventional, to say the least. Born and raised in Long Beach, California, she had no aspirations to become an actress, and instead had applied to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) when, at the age of sixteen, she and a friend were granted a visit to the Samuel Goldwyn Studios.
During their visit, they watched a movie being shot, and a studio executive noticed Frances and asked if she would be willing to take a screen test. She agreed, and the studio was impressed with her performance, subsequently putting her under contract. However, her early career was marked by bit parts, and she eventually moved to RKO Studios, where her career stagnated.
Frances had married actor James Dunn and decided to retire from acting in 1938. She remained off the screen for almost two years before securing a small role in the film Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939),which marked the beginning of her career's revival. She was subsequently signed by Paramount Pictures, which soon loaned her to Republic Pictures, where she starred in the serial Jungle Girl (1941),based on an Edgar Rice Burroughs story.
Unfortunately, her career never truly took off, and she bounced around between several studios. In 1948, Frances was involved in a severe auto accident that left her with head injuries. Although she appeared to have made a full physical recovery, her career suffered significantly, and she made her final film appearance in 1953.
In 1958, newspaper reports indicated that Frances had been admitted to a California state mental hospital due to the lingering effects of the injuries sustained in the accident. Her whereabouts remained unknown until 1983, when a writer for a film magazine tracked her down in Pasadena.
Frances had apparently overcome her physical and mental health issues and was working for the city library. She passed away in Pasadena in 1994 due to complications from emphysema.
Frances Gifford's life was marked by a series of ups and downs, from her unconventional entry into the movie industry to her struggles with her career and personal health. Despite her challenges, she managed to rebuild her life and find a sense of purpose, leaving behind a legacy as a talented and resilient actress.
