Sheila Darcy
Encyclopedia
Sheila Darcy, also known as Rebecca Wassem (August 8, 1914 – February 24, 2004) was an American film actress of the 1930s and the 1940s.
Born as Rebecca Benedict Heffener in York, Pennsylvania
, moved to Hollywood when she was 18 to pursue a career in acting. She began her career using the name Rebecca Wassem, and received her first role, uncredited, in the 1932 film Jewel Robbery. It wasn't until two years later, in 1934, that she received more roles, starring in two films that year. By 1935 her career had taken off, and from 1935 until 1941 she had roles in forty one films. Most of her early films had her playing the heroine role in B-movies, often westerns.
Her best known roles was as the female lead in cliffhanger
films, such as the 1939 film Zorro's Fighting Legion, in which she played opposite Reed Hadley
. She also played the lead role in the cliffhanger Terry and the Pirates, released in 1940. In her western films, she often played opposite popular western actors Ray "Crash" Corrigan and Max Terhune
. In 1941 she starred in six films, and had another two films that were uncredited. By the end of that year, her career was all but over. Her last credited role was in Jungle Man (1941).
In 1946 she married actor Preston Foster
, and they remained together until his death in 1970. In 1951 she had a small bit role in the film Tomahawk, after which she left acting completely. She died on February 24, 2004, in Kearny Mesa, California
, aged 89.
Born as Rebecca Benedict Heffener in York, Pennsylvania
York, Pennsylvania
York, known as the White Rose City , is a city located in York County, Pennsylvania, United States which is in the South Central region of the state. The population within the city limits was 43,718 at the 2010 census, which was a 7.0% increase from the 2000 count of 40,862...
, moved to Hollywood when she was 18 to pursue a career in acting. She began her career using the name Rebecca Wassem, and received her first role, uncredited, in the 1932 film Jewel Robbery. It wasn't until two years later, in 1934, that she received more roles, starring in two films that year. By 1935 her career had taken off, and from 1935 until 1941 she had roles in forty one films. Most of her early films had her playing the heroine role in B-movies, often westerns.
Her best known roles was as the female lead in cliffhanger
Cliffhanger
A cliffhanger or cliffhanger ending is a plot device in fiction which features a main character in a precarious or difficult dilemma, or confronted with a shocking revelation at the end of an episode of serialized fiction...
films, such as the 1939 film Zorro's Fighting Legion, in which she played opposite Reed Hadley
Reed Hadley
Reed Hadley was an American movie, television and radio actor.Reed Hadley was born Reed Herring in Petrolia in Clay County near Wichita Falls, Texas, to Bert Herring, an oil well driller, and his wife Minnie. Hadley had one sister, Bess Brenner. He was reared in Buffalo, New York...
. She also played the lead role in the cliffhanger Terry and the Pirates, released in 1940. In her western films, she often played opposite popular western actors Ray "Crash" Corrigan and Max Terhune
Max Terhune
Max Terhune , was an American film actor. He appeared in nearly 70 films, mostly B-westerns, between 1936 and 1956....
. In 1941 she starred in six films, and had another two films that were uncredited. By the end of that year, her career was all but over. Her last credited role was in Jungle Man (1941).
In 1946 she married actor Preston Foster
Preston Foster
Preston Foster was an American stage and film actor, and singer. Foster entered films in 1929 after appearing as a Broadway stage actor. He was appearing in Broadway plays as late as October 1931 when he acted in a play titled Two Seconds starring Edward J. Pawley...
, and they remained together until his death in 1970. In 1951 she had a small bit role in the film Tomahawk, after which she left acting completely. She died on February 24, 2004, in Kearny Mesa, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, aged 89.
External links
- Sheila Darcy at b-westerns.com