Gertrude Michael

'Gertrude Michael' (qv) was born in Talladega, Alabama, on June 1, 1911. After graduating from high school, she appeared on radio, as a musician and "Home Arts" advisor. A piano prodigy, she dropped out of the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music at age 18 to pursue acting. It was in Cincinnati, in 1929, that she made her stage debut in a stock company headed by Stuart Walker. She subsequently appeared on Broadway in 'Rachel Crothers' (qv)'s "Caught Wet" (1931). She entered the movies playing 'Richard Arlen' (qv)'s fiancée in _Wayward (1932)_ (qv). Arguably her best remembered role is the jealous "Rita Ross" of _Murder at the Vanities (1934)_ (qv). She died in Hollywood on December 31, 1964, having never married. She was interred at the Chapel of the Pines Crematory, Los Angeles, California.::[email protected]