Nancy Kelly, a talented actress, began her career at the tender age of one, modeling for James Montgomery Flagg. Her mother, a former actress, coached her in the art of show business. As she grew older, Nancy received her education at the prestigious Bentley School for Girls, where she also honed her acting skills.
By the age of five, Nancy had already established herself as a prolific child actress in Hollywood, sharing the screen with established stars like Gloria Swanson and Jean Hersholt. Her early success led to a string of film appearances, including a Broadway revival of "Macbeth" in 1929.
As an adult, Nancy's dramatic flair shone brighter than her comedic talents. She delivered a standout performance as an aviatrix in "Tail Spin" (1939),starring alongside Alice Faye. She also co-starred with Tyrone Power in the western "Jesse James" (1939) and had a supporting role in the lavish musical "Show Business" (1944).
Nancy's lead role in the low-budget horror film "Woman Who Came Back" (1945) showcased her versatility, as she portrayed a woman who believed herself to be the reincarnation of a witch burned at the stake 300 years earlier.
In between film projects, Nancy worked in radio, appearing in "The March of Time" from 1932 to 1937, and on stage, earning critical acclaim for her performances in "Susan and God" (1937),"The Big Knife" (1949),and "Season in the Sun" (1950).
Her most iconic role, however, was as the mother of a murderous child in Maxwell Anderson's play "The Bad Seed". Nancy's portrayal earned her a Tony Award and a film nomination for Best Actress, although she ultimately lost to Ingrid Bergman for "Anastasia" (1956).
Following "The Bad Seed", Nancy focused primarily on television, appearing in various shows and series throughout her career. She passed away in 1995 at the age of 73 due to complications from diabetes.
