Born: Claudia Dell Smith, January 10, 1909
Died: September 5, 1977 (aged 68)
Occupation: Actress, Showgirl
Years Active: 1925–1944
Claudia Dell was an American showgirl and actress, known for her work in stage productions, films, and later radio and television. She was a popular performer during the 1920s and 1930s, with notable appearances in Broadway shows and Hollywood films.
Early Life
Dell was born Claudia Dell Smith in New York City, the daughter of a mother who later encouraged her to pursue a career in stage performance. She studied under renowned choreographer Ned Wayburn, which helped her launch a career in entertainment. Dell’s aunt, Claudia Coleman, played a key role in influencing her decision to become an actress.
Stage Career
Dell began her professional career in 1925 as a chorus girl in the Broadway production of Gay Paree (1925-1926). She continued to build her career, appearing in Ziegfeld Follies of 1927 and the Broadway show Rosalie (1927-1928).
Hollywood Career
In 1930, Dell made her film debut in Sweet Kitty Bellairs and soon became a sought-after actress. She starred in films such as Big Boy (1930), River’s End (1930), and appeared in over 30 films throughout her career. Dell worked with some of Hollywood’s biggest stars during the early years of her film career.
In February 1931, after leaving Warner Bros., she signed a contract with RKO. The studio planned to cast her in leading roles to further establish her name with the public, but her film career began to slow down in the 1930s, and she moved toward radio and television.
Radio and Television
After her film career, Dell found success in radio and television. She was under contract with RKO for five years and appeared in many Lux Radio Theater productions, including works with Cecil B. DeMille and Orson Welles. She also had her own television show titled Leave It to the Girls in New York.
In the early 1970s, Dell launched a syndicated radio program titled The Claudia Dell Show, which aired in the Midwest. Additionally, she wrote a syndicated column for eight years and collaborated with English author Helga Moray on a television script for Theater of the Week in 1973.
Personal Life
Dell had a brief marriage to Phillip G. Offin when she was 17, which ended in divorce two years later. In December 1934, she married theatrical agent Edward Silton and divorced him later. In 1947, she married retired chewing gum manufacturer Daniel Emmett.
Modeling Instructor
In the 1970s, Dell transitioned into modeling instruction. She worked for John Robert Powers School of Charm and Modeling, becoming the student director in Sherman Oaks, California, and Woodland Hills Promenade. Previously, she had worked for 12 years as the director of the Beverly Hills branch of the same school. She found fulfillment in molding young people for the future and enjoyed contributing to the development of women’s lives through her work.
False Statements in Bette Davis’s Autobiography
In Bette Davis’s 1962 autobiography, she made false claims about Dell, stating that she had died by suicide. However, Davis later admitted she fabricated the story and never knew Dell personally.
Death
Claudia Dell passed away in Los Angeles on September 5, 1977, at the age of 68. She was buried at Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery in North Hollywood.
