Betty Hutton

Betty Hutton, (born Elizabeth June Thornburg on February 26, 1921 in Battle Creek, Michigan) is an American actress, musician and comedienne.

Related Topics:
February 26 - 1921 - Battle Creek, Michigan - American - Actress - Musician - Comedienne

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Raised by a single mother, Hutton (along with her sister, Marion Hutton) started singing in the family's speakeasy at age 3. Related troubles with the police kept the family on the move; eventually they moved to Detroit. As a teenager, she sang in several local bands, and at one point visited New York hoping to perform in Broadway, where she was rejected.

Related Topics:
Marion Hutton - Speakeasy - Detroit - New York - Broadway

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A few years later, she was scouted by orchestra leader Vincent Lopez, who gave Hutton her entry into entertainment. In 1939 she appeared in several musical shorts for Warner Bros., and appeared on Broadway in Panama Hattie and Two for the Show, produced by Buddy DeSylva.

Related Topics:
Vincent Lopez - 1939 - Warner Bros. - Broadway - Panama Hattie - Buddy DeSylva

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When DeSylva became a producer at Paramount Studios, Hutton acquired a starring role in The Fleet's In in 1942. She made 14 films in 11 years during the 1940s and early 1950s, including Annie Get Your Gun, in which she stepped in to replace Judy Garland in the role of Annie Oakley. In 1942, she signed with Capitol Records, one of the first artists to do so, but was unhappy with their management, and signed with RCA. Her status as a Hollywood star ended during contract disagreements with Paramount.

Related Topics:
Paramount Studios - The Fleet's In - 1942 - 1940s - 1950s - Annie Get Your Gun - Judy Garland - Annie Oakley - Capitol Records - RCA - Hollywood

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Hutton worked in radio and toured in nightclubs, then appeared on

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television through the early 1960s. In 1967, she was signed for starring roles in two Paramount westerns, but was fired shortly after the projects began. Afterwards, Hutton had trouble with alcohol abuse, eventually attempting suicide, and had a nervous breakdown. However, after regaining control of her life, she went on to teach acting and do service work at a church.

Related Topics:
Television - 1960s - 1967 - Westerns - Nervous breakdown

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Married four times with three children, Hutton as of 2005 lives in Palm Springs.

Related Topics:
As of 2005 - Palm Springs

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