Job Actress
Years active 1904-1968
Known for Moms and matriarchs, bewildered parents, snooty socialites
Top Roles Mrs. Kendrick, Penny Sycamore, Mrs. Mars, Mrs. Byam, Marmee
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


See all articles

Spring Byington Quotes:

Mrs. Marshall: You haven't changed, Mary. Not at all.
Mary Marshall: Thank you, Aunt Sarah. Oh, it's so good to be here.
Mrs. Marshall: I'm so glad to have you with us, dear. Awfully glad. Barbara, come on down! You can share Barbara's room.
Mary Marshall: Oh, dear, I don't want to disturb anybody. I, don't ...
Mrs. Marshall: Oh, nonsense. Barbara will love to have you. Here, for heaven's sake, give me your coat. Anyway, it's the guest room, or it was before Barbara was born. Besides, I think it would be a very good thing for Barbara. She's seventeen.
Mary Marshall: Seventeen?
Mrs. Marshall: And she's pretty, spoiled, and at an age, oh, you know. I think an older girl will be a very good thing for her right now. Like you. Yes, like you. Now, there's a million things to talk about, but first you want to wash up.
Barbara Marshall: [coming downstairs] Hello, Mary. I'm awfully glad to see you.
Mary Marshall: Hello, Barbara. Why, I never would have known you. She's grown into a beauty.
Barbara Marshall: Welcome home.
Mrs. Marshall: Take Mary up to your room, dear.
Barbara Marshall: Follow me, lady, to my boudoir. Although it's small, not much bigger than a cell. Oh, I'm sorry, Mary.
Mary Marshall: Look, there's just one thing. We all know that I've been in prison, and I'm going back in eight days. And there's no use pretending it isn't so. It just won't be any good unless everybody says what he thinks, and doesn't try to cover up.
Mrs. Marshall: Oh, you're a fine girl, Mary. Now go up and see your room.


Mayor Hawkins: Why, Bert. I feel slighted. I'd like to join, but nobody asked me.
Sourpuss Smithers: I'm sorry, Mayor, but we voted that no politician could join.
Mrs. Hansen: Just the John Does of the neighborhood because you know how politicians are.


Miss Swanson: Don't they look nice together? I think people who look nice together *should* get married. It's so beneficial for the children.


read more quotes from Spring Byington...



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Spring Byington Facts
Decided to take flying lessons in 1955.

She performed in reference footage for Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty (1959).

Longtime companion of actress Marjorie Main.

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