Job Actress
Years active 1904-1968
Known for Moms and matriarchs, bewildered parents, snooty socialites
Top Roles Mrs. Kendrick, Penny Sycamore, Mrs. Byam, Marmee, Sister Edwitha
Top GenresComedy, Drama, Romance, Musical, Film Adaptation, Adventure
Top TopicsBook-Based, Based on Play, Romance (Comic)
Top Collaborators (Producer), (Producer), (Director),
Shares birthday with Jean Arthur, Rita Hayworth, Montgomery Clift  see more..

Spring Byington Overview:

Legendary character actress, Spring Byington, was born on Oct 17, 1886 in Colorado Springs, CO. Byington appeared in over 115 film and television roles. Her best known films include Little Women (as Marmee), The Devil and Miss Jones (as Elizabeth) and You Can't Take It with You (as Peggy Sycamore). In 1952 she starred the on radio as everyone's favorite mother-in-law, Lily Ruskin, in the popular sitcom, December Bride -- followed by a 5-season run (1954-1959) of the hit television series of the same name. From 1961 to 1963, Byington starred as matronly housekeeper, Daisy Cooper, in the Western TV series Laramie. Byington died at the age of 84 on Sep 7, 1971 in Hollywood, CA .

MINI BIO:

From the moment Spring Byington appeared on screen as Marmee in Little Women (1933, feature film debut), there was no competition for the title of Hollywood's favorite mother. That, and her bewitching sense of comedy, kept her in dozens of similar roles from the mid-thirties to the early fifties. Strangely, this queen of homely matriarchs (she began on stage in 1900) was a divorcee who never re-married.

(Source: available at Amazon Quinlan's Illustrated Dictionary of Film Character Actors).

HONORS and AWARDS:

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Although Byington was nominated for one Oscar, she never won a competitive Academy Award.

Academy Awards

YearAwardFilm nameRoleResult
1938Best Supporting ActressYou Can't Take It with You (1938)Penny SycamoreNominated
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She was honored with two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the categories of Television and Motion Pictures.

BlogHub Articles:

It might as well be Spring (Byington)

By L? on Dec 16, 2018 From Critica Retro

It might as well be Spring (Byington) Ela podia ser a vizinha enxerida por?m am?vel. Ela podia ser uma amiga carinhosa. Ela podia ser uma duquesa ou uma dama – ou mesmo uma empregada. Ela podia ser a forte e cuidadosa matriarca – um papel que ela interpretou v?rias vezes, e que... Read full article


What does Rita Hayworth, Montgomery Clift and have in Common?

By Dawn on Oct 17, 2010 From Noir and Chick Flicks

Well... it is their Birthday! :) Rita Hayworth (October 17, 1918 – May 14, 1987), Film actress and dancer who became famous in the 1940s not only as one of the era's top stars, but also as a great sex symbol. Rita, is best known for her performance in the film, Gilda (1946). List o... Read full article


It might as well be Spring (Byington)

By L? on Nov 30, -0001 From Critica Retro

It might as well be Spring (Byington) Ela podia ser a vizinha enxerida por?m am?vel. Ela podia ser uma amiga carinhosa. Ela podia ser uma duquesa ou uma dama – ou mesmo uma empregada. Ela podia ser a forte e cuidadosa matriarca – um papel que ela interpretou v?rias vezes, e que... Read full article


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Spring Byington Quotes:

Nancy Potter: You talk as if astrology is something to be ashamed of, like witchcraft or being a Democrat.


Magda: You like it here?
Miranda Wells: [defensive] Of *course* I do!
Magda: Of course you do. You like being waited on - I could see tonight it was your first time. You like peaches out of season. You like the feel of silk sheets against your young body... And one day you'll wish with all your heart you'd never come to Dragonwyck!


[first lines]
Marmee March: So you're going to Washington?
Elderly man: Yes, ma'am; my son is sick in the hospital there.
Marmee March: Oh, this will be an anxious Christmas for you.
Marmee March: [finding him a coat] I think this one will do; let's try this. Is it your only son?
Elderly man: No, ma'am. I had four; two were killed, one is a prisoner.
Marmee March: [deeply moved] You've done a great deal for your country, sir.
Elderly man: Oh, not a mite more than I ought, ma'am. I'd go myself if I was any use. Thank you for the overcoat.
Marmee March: Wait a minute...
Marmee March: [giving him some money] I hope you find him better.
Elderly man: Thank you, ma'am. God bless you; merry Christmas. Merry Christmas!
Marmee March: Merry Christmas!


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Spring Byington Facts
After her death in 1971, her body was donated for medical research.

Spring and Lionel Barrymore were initially cast as Ma and Pa Hardy in the Andy Hardy film series starring Mickey Rooney. MGM decided to replace the couple, however, with Fay Holden and Lewis Stone before the series started.

Decided to take flying lessons in 1955.

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