According to the 1930 federal census, Jean's actual name was Lois M. Green and she was born about 1917 in Montana, making her 16 when she appeared in the 1933 production. In 1930 she was living with her mother, Pearl M. Green, age 39 (born about 1891 in Nebraska, parents from Virginia and Iowa) and her sister La Vona M. Green, age 11 (born about 1919 in Colorado); other than that he was born in South Dakota, no father is mentioned. The parents married about 1913 and do not seem to appear in the 1920 census.
As the winner of an art poster competition celebrating the 1932 Olympic Games (to be held in Los Angeles), Jean was invited to be one of the models decorating the float in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses parade.
Discovered by Ida Koverman, Louis B. Mayer's personal assistant, after winning a poster painting contest which portrayed Father Time.
Husband Robert Lowery, as a gag, introduced Jean to Sally Stanford, notorious California madam, as a prospective "house girl".
In an interview with Jean by writer Marcia Borie in 1972 at Jean's home in Eagle Rock, California, Jean admitted that at age 16 she invented her real last name and birthplace to make herself more interesting. The truth is she was born in Butte, Montana, not Deer Lodge, which to her sounded more romantic. She also changed her real name, Luis Stephanie Zalinska (she was of Polish-French descent), to Lois Mae Green. Child star Mitzi Green was the Broadway rage at the time so she adopted her last name, changed the Mitzi to Mae and inverted a vowel in her first name to Lois.
Jean's mother was one of eighteen children (natural) of a pioneer family with roots in Kirksville, Missouri and Clarinda, Iowa.
Lived at the Motion Picture and Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California, from 1998 until her death.
Measurements: 33B-24-34 (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine)
Mother Mildred Brenner worked at MGM in the set department, and created magnificent flowers, trees and other greenery for such notable films as National Velvet (1944), Forbidden Planet (1956), Raintree County (1957) and others.
She was an accomplished clothes designer and designed many lovely creations, but considered it a hobby and usually just kept her designs for herself.
She was divorced four times: first husband was New York newsman George MacDonald; second husband radio commentator Douglas Dawson; third husband Los Angeles insurance broker Curtis Grotter; fourth husband actor Robert Lowery, the father of her son Robert Jr.
Studied Hindu philosophy and was well-versed in the Upanishad and in the teachings of Krishnamurti.
Took Judy Holliday's place on Broadway in "Born Yesterday" when Ms. Holliday prepared for "Bells are Ringing".
Wore a size 6 shoe.