Hazel Brooks
Encyclopedia
Hazel Brooks was an American
actress.
Born in Cape Town, South Africa, she grew up in the U.S. and by 1943, at age 18, had been signed by M.G.M. Billed under her real name, Hazel Brooks, she made a series of pictures at the studio during the 1940s, culminating with a lead role in 1947 Body and Soul
with John Garfield
.
She had captured almost as much attention three years earlier in 1944 when, at age 19, she married the long-time head of her studio's fabled art department, Cedric Gibbons, then 51. Although the age difference inspired a certain amount of winking in the gossip columns at the time, the marriage proved a strong one and lasted until Gibbons' death in 1960. Brooks subsequently married Dr. Rex Ross, a surgeon and founder of the Non-invasive Vascular Clinic at Hollywood Hospital. Dr. Ross predeceased her in 1999.
According to long-time friend Maria Cooper Janis, Gary Cooper
's daughter, Ross in the years after her retirement from films became a skilled still photographer. She also worked actively for a number of children's charities.
Following early bit parts in a half-dozen MGM vehicles, Brooks played the cynical nightclub singer who distracts John Garfield from boxing and from Lilli Palmer
in Body and Soul
. She had subsequent roles in Arch of Triumph
and Sleep, My Love
in 1948, as well as The Basketball Fix
(1951) and The I Don't Care Girl (1953).
She died in 2002, aged 78.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actress.
Born in Cape Town, South Africa, she grew up in the U.S. and by 1943, at age 18, had been signed by M.G.M. Billed under her real name, Hazel Brooks, she made a series of pictures at the studio during the 1940s, culminating with a lead role in 1947 Body and Soul
Body and Soul (1947 film)
Body and Soul is a 1947 film noir which tells the story of a boxer who becomes involved with crooked promoters. It stars John Garfield, Lilli Palmer, Hazel Brooks, Anne Revere and William Conrad....
with John Garfield
John Garfield
John Garfield was an American actor adept at playing brooding, rebellious, working-class character roles. He grew up in poverty in Depression-era New York City and in the early 1930s became an important member of the Group Theater. In 1937 he moved to Hollywood, eventually becoming one of Warner...
.
She had captured almost as much attention three years earlier in 1944 when, at age 19, she married the long-time head of her studio's fabled art department, Cedric Gibbons, then 51. Although the age difference inspired a certain amount of winking in the gossip columns at the time, the marriage proved a strong one and lasted until Gibbons' death in 1960. Brooks subsequently married Dr. Rex Ross, a surgeon and founder of the Non-invasive Vascular Clinic at Hollywood Hospital. Dr. Ross predeceased her in 1999.
According to long-time friend Maria Cooper Janis, Gary Cooper
Gary Cooper
Frank James Cooper, known professionally as Gary Cooper, was an American film actor. He was renowned for his quiet, understated acting style and his stoic, but at times intense screen persona, which was particularly well suited to the many Westerns he made...
's daughter, Ross in the years after her retirement from films became a skilled still photographer. She also worked actively for a number of children's charities.
Following early bit parts in a half-dozen MGM vehicles, Brooks played the cynical nightclub singer who distracts John Garfield from boxing and from Lilli Palmer
Lilli Palmer
Lilli Palmer , born Lilli Marie Peiser, was a German actress. She won the Volpi Cup, the Deutscher Filmpreis three times, and was nominated twice for a Golden Globe Award.-Life and career:...
in Body and Soul
Body and Soul (1947 film)
Body and Soul is a 1947 film noir which tells the story of a boxer who becomes involved with crooked promoters. It stars John Garfield, Lilli Palmer, Hazel Brooks, Anne Revere and William Conrad....
. She had subsequent roles in Arch of Triumph
Arch of Triumph (1948 film)
Arch of Triumph is a 1948 American war romance film made by Enterprise Productions. The film was directed by Lewis Milestone and adapted from the 1945 Erich Maria Remarque novel Arch of Triumph....
and Sleep, My Love
Sleep, My Love
Sleep, My Love is a feature film directed by Douglas Sirk, and starring Claudette Colbert, Robert Cummings and Don Ameche.-Plot:Alison Courtland, a wealthy New Yorker, hasn't a clue how she ended up on a train bound for Boston...
in 1948, as well as The Basketball Fix
The Basketball Fix
The Basketball Fix is a 1951 American film directed by Felix E. Feist.The film is also known as The Big Decision in the United Kingdom.- Cast :*John Ireland as Pete Ferreday*Marshall Thompson as Johnny Long*Vanessa Brown as Pat Judd...
(1951) and The I Don't Care Girl (1953).
She died in 2002, aged 78.