Joan Valerie

Joan Valerie (born Helen Vlahakis;[2] July 15, 1911 – January 30, 1983) was a Greek-American actress, who appeared mainly in B movies in the late 1930s and 1940s.

Joan Valerie
Born
Helen Vlahakis

(1911-07-15)July 15, 1911
Rhinelander, Wisconsin, U.S.
DiedJanuary 30, 1983(1983-01-30) (aged 71)
Long Beach, California, U.S.
Occupationfilm actress
Years active1935-1953
Spouse(s)Paris Methusis
Grant Richards (1940-1942)
ChildrenJo-Ellen Rose (b. 1941)
George (b. 1945)[1]

Early years

Born in Sparta, Wisconsin,[3], Valerie was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Vlahakis, with a sister, Catherine,[4] and brothers Peter,[5] William,[6] Ted[7] and Chris.[8]

Vlahakis was a 1931 graduate of Rhinelander High School.[9] She participated in local play productions in her hometown[10][11] and was active in theatrical productions[2] at Morningside College.[12]

In 1934, Vlahakis was selected from a group of 44 women as Morningside College's "most beautiful girl,"[13] Miss Morningside.[3]

Film

Valerie initially changed her name to Helen Valkis for acting purposes.[2] Under that name, in 1928, she was the leading lady in Yukon Trails, a Rex Pictures production that was filmed in Valerie's hometown, Rhinelander, Wisconsin, with an all-local cast.[14]

Vlahakis' performance as the lead in Edward Elsner's Not So Long Ago in Hollywood led to two film studios' giving her tryouts, one of which resulted in a small part in Reckless (1935).[3] After signing a contract (as Helen Valkis) with the Independent Productions film company in 1935,[15] she received a long-term contract from Warner Bros. in 1936.[16]

She was discovered by Darryl F. Zanuck on stage at the Pasadena Playhouse. Films include Confession, The Prince and the Pauper, Day-Time Wife, Sergeant Murphy, and Rio Rita.

Personal life

She was married to Paris Methusis[17] and, in 1940,[18] to Grant Richards.[17] She and Richards, with whom she had a daughter, Jo-Ellen Rose, were divorced September 9, 1942. A newspaper report said that Valerie "sued under her true name of Helen Jaffe."[18] She also had a son, George.[5]

Partial filmography
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References
  1. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5600812/the_rhinelander_daily_news/
  2. "Beauty of Girl Here Is Lauded by Californian". The Rhinelander Daily News. Wisconsin, Rhinelander. January 4, 1935. p. 5. Retrieved June 15, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. "Bright Future in Drama Predicted for Local Girl". The Rhinelander Daily News. Wisconsin, Rhinelander. March 29, 1935. p. 8. Retrieved June 16, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Many Here for Wedding Rites". The Rhinelander Daily News. Wisconsin, Rhinelander. June 16, 1931. p. 5. Retrieved June 16, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. Muller, Pat (August 1, 1951). "Movie Actress Is Vacationing In Home Town". The Rhinelander Daily News. Wisconsin, Rhinelander. p. 5. Retrieved June 16, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "William Vlakis Is Hollywood Theater Star". The Rhinelander Daily News. Wisconsin, Rhinelander. December 4, 1946. p. 5. Retrieved June 16, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Joan Valerie (Helen Vlahakis) Home Today; Greets Friends". The Rhinelander Daily News. Wisconsin, Rhinelander. August 11, 1938. p. 2. Retrieved June 16, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "Joan Valerie Bring Sbeath of Hollywood to Her Home Town". The Rhinelander Daily News. Wisconsin, Rhinelander. February 10, 1943. p. 2. Retrieved June 16, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. "Helen Valkis Was Active in School Plays". The Rhinelander Daily News. Wisconsin, Rhinelander. May 18, 1937. p. 5. Retrieved June 16, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. "(ad for play)". The Rhinelander Daily News. Wisconsin, Rhinelander. December 17, 1932. p. 2. Retrieved June 16, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. "Announce Personnel for Historical Pageant Here". The Rhinelander Daily News. Wisconsin, Rhinelander. June 30, 1932. p. 2. Retrieved June 16, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. "Orchestra Will Appear During Guild Program". The Rhinelander Daily News. Wisconsin, Rhinelander. December 17, 1932. p. 3. Retrieved June 16, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. "Miss Vlahakis Wins Honor as Beauty Queen". The Rhinelander Daily News. Wisconsin, Rhinelander. May 26, 1934. p. 2. Retrieved June 16, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. "Rhinelander Movie Is Shown This Week". The Rhinelander Daily News. Wisconsin, Rhinelander. December 26, 1928. p. 2. Retrieved June 15, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. "Signs Movie Contract". The Rhinelander Daily News. Wisconsin, Rhinelander. May 21, 1935. p. 3. Retrieved June 16, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. "Warners Sign Helen Valkis". The Rhinelander Daily News. Wisconsin, Rhinelander. October 7, 1936. p. 2. Retrieved June 16, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. "Joan Valerie". Omnilexica. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
  18. "Wins Custody of Daughter". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Associated Press. September 10, 1942. p. 12. Retrieved 16 June 2016.


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