Donna Reed
Known for
Donna Reed was an American actress remembered for her luminous image as an everyday heroine in classic Hollywood. Her most beloved role is that of Mary, the wife of James Stewart in 'It's a Wonderful Life' (1946), an enduring Christmas classic. She won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her against-type performance in 'From Here to Eternity' (1953). In the 1950s and 1960s she made the leap to television with her own sitcom, 'The Donna Reed Show', which established her as an icon of the American home. Her register combined sweetness, dignity and a warmth that made her an endearing face of an era.
Donna Reed
42 Movies
4 Series
Donna Reed was an American actress remembered for her luminous image as an everyday heroine in classic Hollywood. Her most beloved role is that of Mary, the wife of James Stewart in 'It's a Wonderful Life' (1946), an enduring Christmas classic. She won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her against-type performance in 'From Here to Eternity' (1953). In the 1950s and 1960s she made the leap to television with her own sitcom, 'The Donna Reed Show', which established her as an icon of the American home. Her register combined sweetness, dignity and a warmth that made her an endearing face of an era.
Movies
Plays Mary Hatch
It's a Wonderful Life
1946
Plays Alma 'Lorene' Burke
From Here to Eternity
1953
Plays Gladys Hallward
The Picture of Dorian Gray
1945
Plays Marion Ellswirth
The Last Time I Saw Paris
1954
Plays Lt. Sandy Davyss
They Were Expendable
1945
Plays Alice Singleton
Trouble Along the Way
1953
Plays Jennifer Ballard
Gun Fury
1953
Plays Sacajawea
The Far Horizons
1955
Plays Molly Ford
Shadow of the Thin Man
1941
Plays Barbara Lawry
Eyes in the Night
1942
Plays Laurie Mastin
Three Hours to Kill
1954
Plays Alida
Raiders of the Seven Seas
1953
Plays Kathy Taylor
The Caddy
1953
Plays Bess Macauley
The Human Comedy
1943
Plays Marcia Bradburn
Dr. Gillespie's Criminal Case
1943
Plays Alice Hammond
The Benny Goodman Story
1956
Plays Donna Reed
Pepe
1960
Plays Edith Stannard
Ransom!
1956
Plays Laurie MacKaye
They Rode West
1954
Plays Karyl Orton
Backlash
1956
Plays Marguerite Patourel
Green Dolphin Street
1947
Plays Molly Hull
Hangman's Knot
1952
Plays Julie Allison
Scandal Sheet
1952
Plays Melissa McCabe
Saturday's Hero
1951
Plays Marcia Bradburn
Calling Dr. Gillespie
1942
Plays Maria Theresa 'Terry' O'Reilly
The Get-Away
1941
Plays Drug Store Customer
Thousands Cheer
1943
Plays Rosita Jean D'Ur
Chicago Deadline
1949
Plays Carol Poulton
The Whole Truth
1958
Plays Mary Lingen
Gentle Annie
1944
Plays Melodie Nesbit
The Courtship of Andy Hardy
1942
Plays Ann Daniels
Beyond Glory
1948
Plays Ann Wilson
Beyond Mombasa
1956
Plays Mary Wilson
The Man from Down Under
1943
Plays Jean "Chunky" Kendrick
Faithful in My Fashion
1946
Plays Rosalia Martinez
Apache Trail
1942
Plays Sally Hanson
The Bugle Sounds
1942
Plays Anthea Delano
Mokey
1942
Latest Trailers
Watch Trailer
The Whole Truth
Full Filmography
The Love Boat
Polly Sullivan · 2 episodes
1977–
TV
Pepe
Donna Reed
1960
Film
The Donna Reed Show
Donna Stone · 275 episodes
1958–
TV
The Whole Truth
Carol Poulton
1958
Film
Suspicion
Letty Jason · 1 episode
1957–
TV
Beyond Mombasa
Ann Wilson
1956
Film
Backlash
Karyl Orton
1956
Film
The Benny Goodman Story
Alice Hammond
1956
Film
Ransom!
Edith Stannard
1956
Film
Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Donna Reed still alive?
Donna Reed passed away on January 14, 1986 at age 64.
What are the most famous roles of Donna Reed?
Donna Reed is best known for roles in It's a Wonderful Life, From Here to Eternity, The Picture of Dorian Gray.
How many movies has Donna Reed been in?
Over a 45-year career (since 1941), Donna Reed has appeared in 42 movies and 4 TV shows.
What was Donna Reed's first movie?
The career of Donna Reed began with The Get-Away (1941).
What is Donna Reed's most recent movie or series?
Donna Reed's most recent release is Deadly Lessons, which premiered on March 7, 1983.
What TV shows has Donna Reed appeared in?
On television, Donna Reed has appeared in Dallas, The Love Boat, The Oscars, The Donna Reed Show.
Donna Reed
1921-01-27 · Denison, Iowa, USA
Donna Reed (born Donna Belle Mullenger; January 27, 1921 – January 14, 1986) was an American film and television actress and producer. Her career spanned more than 40 years, with performances in more than 40 films. She is well known for her role as Mary Hatch Bailey in Frank Capra's 1946 film It's a Wonderful Life. In 1953 she received the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as Lorene Burke in the war drama From Here to Eternity.
Reed is known for her work in television, notably as Donna Stone in the sitcom The Donna Reed Show (1958–66). She received numerous Emmy Award nominations for this role and the Golden Globe Award for Best TV Star in 1963.