Ida Lupino biography

Ida Lupino is an outstanding English and American actress, talented director, a pioneer among women cinematographers, who worked in film and television from the mid- the too late 1940s through the 1960s.

During 48 years of his acting career, Ida played in 59 films and created nine images. In addition, the actress appeared on television 58th time and 50 times acted as director of television projects. Ida also created scripts for films and television series. With her production company, she co-wrote and co-produced several of her own social-message films, and was the first woman to direct a film noir, “The Hitch-Hiker,” in 1953.

Biography

Ida Lupino was born on February 4, 1918 – in the family of artists in Herne Hill, London. Her parents are actress Connie O’Shea, known as Connie Emerald and Stanley Lupino, a member of a centuries-old theatrical dynasty dating back to Renaissance Italy.

She acted with her sister in a model theatre built by her father. Ida wrote her first play at the age of seven and played the leading female roles in each of Shakespeare’s plays.

It was supposed that Ida, after having grown up, will definitely work in show business. That’s what happened. Although Ida wanted to be a writer, to gratify her father, she entered the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art at age 13.

Movies

For the first time, Ida appeared on the TV screen in 1931 in the film “The Love Race” and then in the film “Her First Affaire.” Later after her debut, she played several insignificant roles before the role of a vengeful prostitute in “Light That Failed” (1939), working with Columbia.

Subsequently, the actress began to cooperate with the company Warner Brothers, gradually gaining respect and love to the audience. In the early forties, the actress starred in several films, including “They Drive by Night” (1940) and “High Sierra” (1941). Very soon, Ida turned into one of the most popular and desired actresses in filmography.

In 1949, her desire to become a filmmaker was realized, after Elmer Clifton had a mild heart attack unexpectedly, and he could not complete his last film “Not Wanted.” Aida Lupino finished his work until the end, after which she decided to start her own directorial projects. Lupino created her own independent company (first named Emerald Productions and then The Filmmakers in 1950) with her then-husband, Collier Young.  Later, Lupino mostly shot noir movies, becoming the first female director to work in this direction. Her most famous director’s work is “The Hitcher.” Very soon director’s projects of Ida became popular in Hollywood and were positioned as “female,” as she wrote and directed films about the “invisible” issues of 1950s America.

In the 50-60th, Ida actively appeared on television and was noticed in such shows, including “The Twilight Zone,” “Have Gun Will Travel,” “Columbo: Swan Song,” etc.

Personal life

Lupino was married and divorced three times. She married to actor Louis Hayward in November 1938.  Her second husband was producer Collier Young, but after three years they divorced. Ida’s third and final marriage was to actor Howard Duff, whom she married in 1951. Six months later, the couple had a daughter, Bridget. But in 1983 they divorced.

Ida died on August 3, 1995, from a stroke, having a cancer of the rectum. She was 77 years old.

Her grave is in Glendale, one of California’s memorial parks.

Awards and tributes

The actress and director Ida Lupino has repeatedly been awarded – her name is listed on two stars of the Alley of Glory in Hollywood. Her performance in “The Hard Way” won the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress. Ida won Inaugural Saturn Award –for Best Supporting Actress for “The Devil’s Rain.” Composer Carla Bley paid tribute to Lupino with her jazz composition “Ida Lupino.”

According to various sources, Ida Lupino`s net worth has grown significantly in 2018. It is estimated to be in the range of approximately $5500000.