Celebrity Info
Dorothy Malone was a shining star of Hollywood’s Golden Age, and honestly, her legacy still resonates with film lovers today. Dorothy Malone is probably best remembered for her powerful performance in Douglas Sirk’s Written on the Wind (1956), a role that earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress—quite an achievement in a career full of standout moments. Born in Chicago, Dorothy Malone moved with her family to Dallas when she was just six months old, and it was there that she would spend much of her life.
Tragedy struck early for Dorothy Malone when two of her sisters passed away from polio complications, a heartbreaking loss that deeply shaped her worldview. From a young age, Dorothy Malone understood how fragile life could be, and that realization fueled her determination to live fully. She set her sights on performing early on, and by her teens, she was already modeling for Neiman Marcus. After briefly attending Southern Methodist University—where she majored in drama—Dorothy Malone caught the attention of RKO Studios and signed a contract at just 18 years old.
During her time at RKO, Dorothy Malone appeared in several films, including the 1943 musical Higher and Higher, which also featured a young Frank Sinatra. Though RKO chose not to renew her contract after one year, Dorothy Malone wasn’t discouraged. In fact, she quickly landed a new deal with Warner Bros., where her career began to gain real momentum. She appeared in titles like Too Young to Know (1945) and Frontier Days (1945), steadily building her reputation as a capable and compelling actress.
A major turning point came in 1946 when Dorothy Malone shared the screen with Humphrey Bogart in Howard Hawks’ classic noir The Big Sleep. That role opened doors, leading to more prominent parts, including her first lead in the musical comedy Two Guys from Texas (1948). By the late 1940s, Dorothy Malone decided to leave Warner Bros. and go freelance—a bold move that gave her greater creative freedom.
Throughout the 1950s, Dorothy Malone remained busy, taking on a wide range of roles in films such as Torpedo Alley (1952), Scared Stiff (1953), and The Fast and the Furious (1955)—the latter being the first film produced by the legendary Roger Corman. But it was her performance in Written on the Wind (1956), opposite Rock Hudson and Lauren Bacall, that truly cemented her place in cinematic history. The emotionally charged role brought Dorothy Malone critical acclaim and her only Oscar win, a well-deserved honor.
Even after her big-screen success, Dorothy Malone kept working through the 1960s. Then, in 1964, she found a new generation of fans with her role as Constance Mackenzie on the popular prime-time soap opera Peyton Place (ABC, 1964–69). The show was a cultural phenomenon, and Dorothy Malone’s portrayal of the complex, strong-willed mother figure earned her widespread recognition. Her run on the series ended in 1968, but she didn’t slow down. For over two decades, Dorothy Malone continued acting in television shows, made-for-TV movies, and smaller independent films.
Her appearances became fewer as the years went on—she took only a handful of roles during the 1980s—but Dorothy Malone never fully retired from the craft she loved. Her final on-screen role came in 1992’s Basic Instinct, a fitting end to a long and varied career. After that, Dorothy Malone settled back into quiet life in suburban Dallas, the same city where she had grown up. She lived there peacefully, surrounded by memories of a remarkable journey in front of the camera.
Dorothy Malone passed away on January 19, 2018, at a nursing facility in Dallas. She was 93. Her life was one of resilience, talent, and grace—qualities that Dorothy Malone carried with her from her earliest days to her final curtain call.
When it comes to Dorothy Malone’s filmography, one standout in terms of critical acclaim is The Tarnished Angels from 1957—it’s widely regarded as Dorothy Malone’s highest rated movie. Over the years, fans and critics alike have praised her performance in that film, often highlighting it as a career highlight for Dorothy Malone. On the other end of the spectrum, her role in Fate Is the Hunter (1964) received less favorable reviews, making it Dorothy Malone’s lowest rated movie. While opinions may vary, these two films mark the high and low points in terms of ratings throughout Dorothy Malone’s impressive cinematic journey.
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