Career
Active 1927 – 1934
Biography
About Jeanette Loff
Jeanette Loff was an American actress who found fame in late-1920s Hollywood before walking away from the movie business at the height of her career. She was born Janette Lov on October 9, 1906, in Orofino, Idaho. Her father Maurice, a successful violinist from Denmark, moved the family to Canada when she was a child. She loved to sing and studied music at the Ellison-White Conservatory in Portland, Oregon. At sixteen she had a starring role in the operetta Treasure Hunters, and she also played the organ at local theaters. Her acting debut came in the 1927 film Uncle Tom's Cabin, and Cecil B. DeMille soon offered her a contract. She quickly became one of Hollywood's busiest starlets, appearing in Annapolis, Love Over Night, and Hold 'Em Yale in 1928.
After her parents divorced, her mother Inga and sisters Irene and Myrtle moved to California to live with her. She married salesman Harry Rosenbloom in 1924, but they divorced in 1929. She also had love affairs with producer Paul Bern, songwriter Walter O'Keefe, and actor Gilbert Roland. Her soprano voice was showcased in films like King of Jazz and Party Girl, and she got the chance to show off her singing talents. But by 1931 she was tired of playing ingénues and decided to take a break from movies. She moved to New York City and starred in several Broadway shows.
Her comeback attempt with the 1934 drama St. Louis Woman was not a hit. After a few more small roles, her career stalled. Her final film was the comedy Million Dollar Baby. She retired from acting and married producer and liquor salesman Bert E. Friedlob. Sadly, she did not get to enjoy her new life for very long. On August 5, 1942, she died after ingesting ammonia at age thirty-five. Although many believe she committed suicide, her death may have been accidental. Her family does not believe she took her own life. She is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.
Record
Profile details
Personal
- Died
- Tuesday 4th of August 1942 (age 35)
- Years Active
- 1927-1934 (started around 20 years old; 7 years active)
- Birthplace
- United States
- Ethnicity
- Caucasian
- Sexuality
- Straight
Frequently asked
What caused Jeanette Loff's career to decline after the early 1930s?
She grew tired of playing ingénues, took a break from movies, and moved to New York for Broadway roles. Her 1934 comeback film St. Louis Woman was not a hit, and after a few more small roles her career stalled.
How was Jeanette Loff connected to classical music?
Her father was a successful violinist from Denmark, and she studied music at the Ellison-White Conservatory in Portland, Oregon, before becoming an actress.
What were the circumstances of her death?
She died on August 5, 1942, after ingesting ammonia at age thirty-five. Some believe it was suicide, but her family believes the death may have been accidental.
Did you know
- Her birth name was Janette Lov, and she was born in Orofino, Idaho, though she later became known as Jeanette Loff.
- She showed musical talent early, playing organ at local theaters and having a starring role in the operetta Treasure Hunters at age sixteen.
- Her father Maurice was a Danish violinist whose career took the family to Canada.
- She was married twice: first to Harry Rosenbloom from 1924 to 1929, then to Bert E. Friedlob until her death in 1942.
- She attempted a comeback in 1934 with the drama St. Louis Woman, but the film was not a hit.
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