Hedda Hopper

Hedda Hopper

Deceased · Born: May 2, 1885 · Died: Feb 1, 1966

Personal Details

BornMay 2, 1885 Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, USA

Biography

The fascinating life of a Hollywood legend began with a humble start, as her father worked as a butcher. It was in the year 1913 that she met her future husband, the dashing DeWolf Hopper Sr., a matinée idol who would later become a star with the esteemed Triangle Company.

Together, the couple made the bold decision to relocate to Hollywood in 1915, where they both embarked on successful film careers. Her husband's stardom was well-deserved, while she initially began her career in vamp parts before transitioning to supporting roles.

However, her life took a dramatic turn after her divorce, as she went on to appear in dozens of films, earning the nickname "Queen of the Quickies" for her prolific output. In 1936, she ventured into the world of radio, hosting a popular gossip show that quickly gained a large following.

Two years later, she began a remarkable 28-year stint as a newspaper gossip columnist, rivaling the renowned Louella Parsons in her influence and popularity. As she entered the twilight of her career, she often played herself in films, a testament to her lasting impact on the Hollywood landscape.

Interestingly, her son would go on to achieve fame in his own right, starring as the investigator Paul Drake in the beloved Perry Mason television series, which premiered in 1957.

Career

The Oscar
The Oscar as Hedda Hopper
1960
Pepe
Pepe as Hedda Hopper
1950
Sunset Blvd.
Sunset Blvd. as Hedda Hopper
1942
Reap the Wild Wind
Reap the Wild Wind as Aunt Henrietta
1941
Life with Henry
Life with Henry as Mrs. Aldrich
1940
Queen of the Mob
Queen of the Mob as Mrs. Emily Sturgis
1939
What a Life
What a Life as Mrs. Aldrich
Midnight
Midnight as Stephanie
That's Right - You're Wrong
That's Right - You're Wrong as Hedda Hopper (Uncredited)
The Women
The Women as Dolly Dupuyster
1938
Tarzan's Revenge
Tarzan's Revenge as Penny Reed
Maid's Night Out
Maid's Night Out as Mrs. Harrison
Dangerous to Know
Dangerous to Know as Mrs. Carson
Thanks for the Memory
Thanks for the Memory as Polly Griscom
1937
Topper
Topper as Mrs. Stuyvesant
Vogues of 1938
Vogues of 1938 as Mrs. Van Klettering
Nothing Sacred
Nothing Sacred as Dowager on Ship (uncredited)
1936
The Dark Hour
The Dark Hour as Mrs. Marian Tallman
Dracula's Daughter
Dracula's Daughter as Lady Esme Hammond
Bunker Bean
Bunker Bean as Mrs. Dorothy Kent
1935
One Frightened Night
One Frightened Night as Laura Proctor
Alice Adams
Alice Adams as Mrs. Palmer
Lady Tubbs
Lady Tubbs as Mrs. Ronald Ash-Orcutt
I Live My Life
I Live My Life as Alvin's Mother
1934
Bombay Mail
Bombay Mail as Lady Daniels
1933
Men Must Fight
Men Must Fight as Mrs. Chase
Beauty for Sale
Beauty for Sale as Madame Sonia Barton
The Barbarian
The Barbarian as Mrs. Loway
1932
The Man Who Played God
The Man Who Played God as Mrs. Alice Chittendon
Downstairs
Downstairs as Countess De Marnac
Night World
Night World as Mrs. Rand
Speak Easily
Speak Easily as Mrs. Peets
Skyscraper Souls
Skyscraper Souls as Ella Dwight
As You Desire Me
As You Desire Me as Ines Montari
1931
The Easiest Way
The Easiest Way as Mrs. Clara Williams (uncredited)
West of Broadway
West of Broadway as Mrs. Trent
The Mystery Train
The Mystery Train as Mrs. Marian Radcliffe
Shipmates
Shipmates as Auntie
Flying High
Flying High as Mrs. Smith
Good Sport
Good Sport as Mrs. Atherton
The Stolen Jools
The Stolen Jools as Hedda - Norma's Friend
1930
Let Us Be Gay
Let Us Be Gay as Madge Livingston
War Nurse
War Nurse as Matron
Such Men Are Dangerous
Such Men Are Dangerous as Muriel Wyndham
Our Blushing Brides
Our Blushing Brides as Mrs. Russ-Weaver
1929
The Racketeer
The Racketeer as Mrs. Lee
Half Marriage
Half Marriage as Mrs. Page
1927
The Drop Kick
The Drop Kick as Mrs. Hamill
Children of Divorce
Children of Divorce as Katherine Flanders
Wings
Wings as Mrs. Powell (uncredited)
1926
Don Juan
Don Juan as Marchesia Rinaldo
1925
Zander the Great
Zander the Great as Mrs. Caldwell
1922
Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes as Madge Larrabee