Joan Valerie

Joan Valerie (July 15, 1911 in Rhinelander, Wisconsin - January 30, 1983 in Long Beach, California) was a Greek-American actress, who appeared mainly in B movies in the late 1930s and 1940s.

Early years

Born Helen Vlahakis,^[1] in Sparta, Wisconsin,^[2] she initially changed her name to Helen Valkis for acting purposes.^[1] She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Vlahakis, with a sister, Catherine,^[3] and brothers Peter,^[4] William,^[5] Ted^[6] and Chris.^[7]

Vlahakis was a 1931 graduate of Rhinelander High School.^[8] She participated in local play productions in her hometown^[9][10] and was active in theatrical productions^[1] at Morningside College.^[11]

In 1934, Vlahakis was selected from a group of 44 women as Morningside College's "most beautiful girl,"^[12] Miss Morningside.^[2]

Film

In 1928, Valerie (then known as Helen Vlahakis), was the leading lady in Yukon Trails, a Rex Pictures production that was filmed in Valerie's hometown, Rhinelander, Wisconsin, with an all-local cast.^[13]

Vlahakis' performance as the lead in Edward Elsner's Not So Long Ago in Hollywood led to two film studios' giving her tryouts, one of which resulted in a small part in Reckless (1935).^[2] After signing a contract (as Helen Valkis) with the Independent Productions film company in 1935,^[14] she received a long-term contract from Warner Bros. in 1936.^[15]

She was discovered by Darryl F. Zanuck on stage at the Pasadena Playhouse. Films include Confession, The Prince and the Pauper, Day-Time Wife, Sergeant Murphy, and Rio Rita.

Personal life

She was married to Paris Methusis^[16] and, in 1940,^[17] to Grant Richards.^[16] She and Richards, with whom she had a daughter, Jo-Ellen Rose, were divorced September 9, 1942. A newspaper report said that Valerie "sued under her true name of Helen Jaffe."^[17] She also had a son, George.^[4]

Selected filmography

• Talent Scout (1937)
• Blazing Sixes (1937)
• The Man Who Wouldn't Talk (1940)
• Girl in 313 (1940)

References