Betsy Blair -December 11, 1923 – March 13, 2009) was an American actress of film and stage, long based in London. Blair pursued a career in entertainment from the age of eight, and as a child worked as an amateur dancer, performed on radio, and worked as a model, before joining the chorus of Billy Rose's Diamond Horseshoe in 1940. There she met Gene Kelly. They were married the following year, when she was seventeen years old. The couple divorced sixteen years later, in 1957. After work in the theatre, Blair began her film career playing supporting roles in films such as A Double Life (1947) and Another Part of the Forest (1948). Her interest in Marxism led to an investigation by the House Un-American Activities Committee and Blair was blacklisted for some time, but resumed her career with a critically acclaimed performance in Marty (1955), winning a BAFTA Award and a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She continued her career with regular theatre, film and television work until the mid 1990s.

Filmography

• Scarlett — Sister of Mercy
• 1988Betrayed — Gladys Simmons
• 1988Marcus Welby, M.D.: A Holiday Affair — Grace Simpson
• 1987Suspicion — Lady McLaidlaw
• thirtysomething
• 1986Descent Into Hell — Mrs. Burns
• 1986Flight of the Spruce Goose — Helen
• 1986Maggie — Eulene Booker
• American Playhouse — Lady McLaidlaw
• Month of the Doctors — Rose Pinneo
• Tales of the Unexpected — Mrs Wilbur
• Shades of Greene — Bobbie
• 1973A Delicate Balance — Edna
• 1969De Bom (of het wanhoopskomitee) — Vrouw van garagist
• 1968Marry Me! Marry Me! — Second English Teacher
• 1966Death of a Salesman — Linda
• BBC Play of the Month — Linda, Mrs. Winemiller, Susan Stringham
• 1962All Night Long — Emily
• 1962Careless — Amalia Brentani
• 1960Lies My Father Told Me — Mother
• 1960The Dolphins — Contessa Rita Cherè
• 1957Il Grido — Elvia
• 1957The Halliday Brand — Martha Halliday
• 1956Main Street — Isabel
• 1956Meeting in Paris — Nancy Blanding
• 1955Marty — Clara
• 1951Kind Lady — Ada Elcott
• 1950Mystery Street — Jackie Elcott
• 1950No Way Out — Telephone Operator (uncredited)
• 1948Another Part of the Forest — Birdie Bagtry
• The Philco Television Playhouse
• 1948The Snake Pit — Hester (uncredited)
• 1947A Double Life — Girl in Wig Shop
• 1947The Guilt of Janet Ames — Katie

Appearances as themselves (3)

• 2003Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There — Self
• 2002Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer — Self
• Great Performances — Self