Judy Holliday: The Smart “Dumb” Blonde

Great Performers with Marc Courtade

An American actress, comedian, and singer, Judy Holliday began her career as part of a nightclub act. Her first major success was in the 1946 stage production of Born Yesterday and she won an Academy Award for her portrayal in the 1950 film version. She triumphed in the Broadway musical Bells Are Ringing, winning a Tony Award. She noted that her dumb blonde act was hard work saying “You have to be smart to play a dumb blonde over and over and keep the audience’s attention without extraordinary physical equipment.”