Carole Lombard Biography

Born Jane Alice Peters in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Carole Lombard grew up to be one of the most successful comedy actresses of her era, and married the screen legend, Clark Gable.

After the divorce of her parents when she was eight, Carole’s mother took the family to Los Angeles. Carole was spotted by a film director playing baseball in the street with some local boys, and signed a contract at the age of twelve to perform in 'A Perfect Crime'.

After this, Carole returned to school, but left aged fifteen to join a theatre troupe.

In 1925 she was signed by Twentieth Century Fox, where her first film was 'Hearts and Spurs', in which she took the lead role.

A car accident in 1926 left Carole with scarring on her face, and because of this Fox cancelled her contract. However, she continued to make films, and made the transition from silent movies to 'talkies' well. Her first film with sound was titled 'High Voltage'.

Carole starred with William Powell in the 1931 film 'Man Of The World', and the couple subsequently married. The marriage was short-lived, however, ending in divorce in 1933.

In 'No Man Of Her Own', released in 1932, Carole Lombard was to star for the first and only time with Clark Gable, whom she married seven years later.

Carole moved to Paramount, and at the peak of her career, was reportedly earning $35,000 per week. Her last film, made in 1941, was called 'Mr. And Mrs. Smith',(recently remade starring Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt) although Carole did not live to see its release.

1941 saw America join World War II, and this prompted Carole to return home to Indiana for a war bond rally. On the return journey to California the plane carrying Carole, her mother and twenty other passengers crashed, killing all those on board, including 33 year old Carole.