Скачать или смотреть The complete career of Sheila Ryan

Summary of the Career of American Actress Sheila Ryan (born Katherine Elizabeth McLaughlin, June 8, 1921 – passed away on November 4, 1975)
Early Life and Entry into Hollywood

Born in Topeka, Kansas, USA.

In 1939, at age 18, she moved to Hollywood.

Her first start in the entertainment world came via a television station (W6XAO, later KCBS) in Los Angeles, where she auditioned for a role.

Rise at 20th Century Fox & Early Film Work

In 1940, she was chosen as one of 13 “Baby Stars of 1940.”

She signed with 20th Century Fox in 1940.

At that time, she began using the professional name “Sheila Ryan” instead of her birth name (earlier credited as Bettie McLaughlin).

Some of her early film credits include:

What a Life (1939) – Jessie

The Farmer’s Daughter (1940) – Dorinda

The Gay Caballero (1940) – Susan Wetherby

Highlight Films of the 1940s

She appeared in two well-known comedy films with Laurel & Hardy: Great Guns (1941) and A-Haunting We Will Go (1942).

She also had a notable role in the Busby Berkeley musical The Gang’s All Here (1943).

Throughout the 1940s, she also took roles in mystery/genre films (such as some entries of the Charlie Chan and Michael Shayne series).

Transition to B-Movies & Westerns

By the late 1940s, Sheila Ryan’s career began to decline in terms of major studio roles, and she started appearing more in lower-budget productions (so-called “B movies”), including many westerns.

She co-starred with western stars like Gene Autry in films such as The Cowboys and the Indians (1949) and Mule Train (1950).

Television & Later Career

Sheila Ryan also appeared on television, guest-starring in shows including The Lone Ranger (episode “Pete and Pedro” in 1949; “The Whimsical Bandit” in 1950) and others.

Her final film role is often cited as Street of Darkness (1958).

Some sources note her years active as 1939–1968.

Summary of Filmography & Legacy

Over her career, she appeared in more than 60 films.

She had a career arc typical of many studio contract actresses of her era: strong studio launch, memorable early work in major films, followed by a move into lesser-budget films and genre work as the decades progressed.

Today, she is especially remembered for her early 1940s work (Great Guns, A-Haunting We Will Go, The Gang’s All Here) and her western/B-movie phase.