Virginia Dabney was born in Atlanta, Virginia, and began her career as a ballroom dancer before transitioning to acting. She was discovered by scouts while performing in musical comedies at the Mayan Theater in Los Angeles and went on to work in films, including gangster pictures and musicals.
Dabney was placed under contract with Warner Bros. in 1933 and worked on several musicals directed by Busby Berkeley, including Footlight Parade, 42nd Street, and Gold Diggers of 1933. She was also a poster girl for several of these films and was considered an ideal model and dancer by Berkeley.
After leaving Warner Bros., Dabney freelanced for various companies, playing small roles in pictures of all genres. She worked opposite stars such as Alice Faye, Betty Grable, and William Powell, and was earning $125 a week by 1936.
Dabney's career was marked by a series of romantic relationships, including marriages to director Robert Florey and actor Lloyd Nolan. She was known for her beauty, charm, and kindness, and was a popular figure in Hollywood social circles.
After Florey's death, Dabney continued to be involved in the film industry, granting interviews and attending screenings of his films. She also continued to paint, and her artwork was used as decor in some of her husband's movies.
Dabney passed away in 2001, but her legacy as a Hollywood star and her relationship with Robert Florey continue to be celebrated by film historians and enthusiasts.
