About Gloria Jean

Gloria Jean: Buffalo’s Hollywood Songbird

Born on April 14, 1926, in Buffalo, NY, Gloria Jean Schoonover, known to the world simply as Gloria Jean, enchanted audiences with her golden voice and captivating screen presence. A remarkable actress and singer, Gloria rose to fame as one of Hollywood’s beloved child stars in the 1930s and 1940s. Her path from her Buffalo roots to the bright lights of the silver screen is a story of talent, ambition, and unmistakable charm.

Early Life in Buffalo

Gloria Jean was born into a family with Pennsylvania Dutch heritage and spent her formative years in the bustling city of Buffalo. Even as a young girl, her talent was unmistakable. At just three years old, she sang on the radio under the charming title “Baby Skylark.” These early performances laid the foundation for a lifelong love of music and performance, traits that would earn her a place among the greats of her time.

Her family moved to Scranton, Pennsylvania, when she was still young, where Gloria’s vocal gifts gained further recognition. Singing with Paul Whiteman’s orchestra on radio broadcasts, she honed her skills and developed a voice that would capture the attention of Hollywood producers. By age 12, she had already joined a New York opera company, becoming the youngest member of an opera troupe in the country.

Breaking into Hollywood

Gloria Jean’s rise to Hollywood stardom was the stuff of dreams. A chance meeting with Universal Pictures producer Joe Pasternak, who was searching for a young singer to become the next big star, changed her life forever. Outshining hundreds of other hopefuls during auditions, she secured her first leading role in The Under-Pup (1939), a hit that catapulted her to fame.

She quickly became a favorite with audiences, showcasing her musical talent and acting chops in films like If I Had My Way (1940), opposite Bing Crosby, and A Little Bit of Heaven (1940). However, her most iconic role came in Never Give a Sucker an Even Break (1941), where she starred alongside the legendary W.C. Fields. Despite Fields’ reputation for being cantankerous, Gloria remembered his kindness on set fondly, sharing a glimpse of their unique bond.

Music and the Silver Screen

Universal Pictures cast Gloria in a string of musicals during the 1940s, catering to an audience craving uplifting entertainment during the wartime years. Her stunning voice and sparkling screen presence shone in films like Get Hep to Love (1942), It Comes Up Love (1943), and Ghost Catchers (1944). She often partnered with well-known stars of the time, including Donald O’Connor, the Andrews Sisters, and Peggy Ryan, becoming a staple in feel-good, musical comedies.

However, shifting tastes in Hollywood made it difficult for young stars like Gloria to transition from juvenile roles to adult leads. Despite a handful of dramatic performances, including a memorable role in the shelved sequence of Flesh and Fantasy (1943) that was eventually expanded into the melodrama Destiny (1944), her career in Hollywood began to wane by the mid-1940s.

Returning to Her Buffalo Roots in Spirit

Although Gloria eventually left behind the Hollywood spotlight, she credited her upbringing in Buffalo with giving her the grit and determination to forge her career. The down-to-earth values instilled in her early years kept her grounded throughout her life, even during the dizzying heights of her fame.

Buffalo’s influence on her life remained evident in the authenticity she brought to her performances. Whether she was playing a charming ingénue or belting out a song that delighted audiences, you could feel that Gloria’s connection to her roots contributed to her undeniable relatability on screen.

Later Years and Legacy

After departing Hollywood, Gloria reinvented herself, eventually working as a receptionist at Redken Cosmetics for nearly three decades. Despite stepping away from the limelight, she never lost the affection of her fans. She regularly attended nostalgia conventions and was honored in 1991 by the Young Artist Foundation with a Former Child Star “Lifetime Achievement” Award.

Gloria spent her later years surrounded by her family, moving to Hawaii after the passing of her sister. She lived a quiet life filled with contentment, always looking back at her time in Hollywood with gratitude and perspective.

When she passed away on August 31, 2018, at the age of 92, Gloria left behind a luminous legacy, forever remembered as the girl from Buffalo who brought a little bit of heaven to audiences everywhere.

Celebrating a Star from Buffalo

Gloria Jean’s story exemplifies the enduring brilliance of Buffalo talent. From her early days singing on the radio to becoming a beloved Hollywood star, her career reminds us of the power of passion and perseverance. Her life and work are a testament to the talent that emerges from Buffalo and continues to shine on the world stage.

Here’s to Gloria Jean—a Buffalo girl with a heavenly voice and a charm that captured the hearts of millions.y role he takes on.