Beverly Roberts (May 19, 1914 – July 13, 2009) was an American film and stage actress of the 1930s, and entertainment business executive through the 1970s.

Career 

Born as Beverly Louise Roberts in Brooklyn, New York, she was first spotted by a Warner Bros. talent scout while singing in anightclub in 1935. Having performed as a stage actress prior to that, she was signed to a contract with Warner Brothers, starring in her first film in 1936, titled The Singing Kid, in which she appeared opposite Al Jolson. That same year she starred opposite Humphrey Bogart in Two Against the World. The following year, in 1937, she starred in God's Country and the Woman, Warner Bros.' firstTechnicolor film, in which she starred opposite George Brent.

From 1937 to 1939 she starred in sixteen films. In Hollywood she was a friend of Humphrey Bogart, Spencer Tracy, Pat O'Brien andGeorge Jessel. She also knew Errol Flynn who signed up to Warner Bros. on the same day as her. She reportedly quit film-making after losing parts to other actresses including Bette Davis and Olivia de Havilland. By 1940 she had returned to singing and stage acting. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, she was showcased in numerous radio and television appearances.

In 1954, Roberts returned to New York City and took up a new career as administrator of the "Theater Authority", whose members comprised the five entertainment unions. The organization exercised jurisdiction over performers appearing at charity functions and telethons. Roberts retired in 1977, and moved to Laguna Niguel, California, where she lived through the rest of her life.

Personal life 

Actress Wynne Gibson, whom she had known since they worked together on the 1938 feature Flirting with Fate, followed her to New York; the two shared homes together (both inWest Babylon, Long Island, and in Laguna Niguel, California) until Gibson's death in 1987. In 2000, Roberts was featured in the documentary I Used to Be in Pictures, which revisited Hollywood's early years and featured interviews with former actresses and actors of the day.

In 2002 Roberts was honored by the "Del Mar Theater" in Santa Cruz, California, and her 1936 film, China Clipper, was shown at its grand opening. That same year she was honored at the "Cinecon Film Festival" in Hollywood. In her later years, she worked in watercolor painting.

In one of her last public appearances, on October 18, 2006, Roberts was a guest of honor at the 84th Anniversary of the opening of the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood with Sybil Jason, where she answered questions from the audience after a screening of her debut film from 1936, The Singing Kid with Al Jolson.

Death 

Roberts died in her sleep on July 13, 2009, aged 95, in her home in Laguna Niguel from natural causes. She never married and had no children.

Source: Wikipedia