Biografia

Her last official public appearance was in December 1985 for the Kennedy Center honors in Washington. She collapsed at the Saturday night reception after the group photograph of the honorees and was unable to attend the gala the next night.

She played Cary Grant's wife in three movies: L'orribile verità (1937), Le mie due mogli (1940) and Ho sognato un angelo (1941).

During her marriage to Dr. Frank Griffin, Irene adopted a child, Mary Frances. The child was adopted in 1938 at the age of four from the New York Foundling Hospital.

Smashed the traditional champagne bottle on the bow of the Liberty Ship S.S. Carole Lombard at its launching ceremony.

Irene claimed that always getting enough sleep kept her looking young. Her studio contracts allowed her to start work as late as 10 A.M. and leave by 6 P.M.

No triumph of either my stage or screen career has ever rivalled the excitement of trips down the Mississippi on the river boats with my father.

[Comedy] demands more timing, pace, shading and subtlety of emphasis. It is difficult to learn but once it is acquired it can be easily slowed down and becomes an excellent foundation for dramatic acting.

Whenever I have to weep for the cameras, I prefer to cry real tears, provided I have enough time to recover my emotions before I make the take. But if I have to do another and greatly different scene afterward, it frequently is easier on my emotions just to put glycerin or some other tear substitute in my eyes.

When we have learned to love our neighbour, not just ourselves, no matter where we come from, then America will be perfect.

Trying to build the brotherhood of man without the Fatherhood of God is like having the spokes of a wheel without the hub.