Profile of Thelma White on Famous Like Me

Thelma White (December 4, 1910-January 11, 2005) was an American actress. Born Thelma Wolpa in Lincoln, Nebraska, White debuted in her family's circus show at age 2, acting as a "living doll" who would stand in place until she got a cue to begin cooing and wriggling. At the age of 10 she was dancing in vaudeville as part of The White Sisters, leading to jobs with the Ziegfeld Follies and Earl Carroll revue before she moved to Hollywood in the late 20's. Her first film credit was 1929's A Night in a Dormitory. That job led to a number of short films at Pathe (later RKO) studios, where she played leading lady to some of the most familiar comic faces of the day, such as Edgar Kennedy and Leon Errol.

White's most famous role arrived in Tell Your Children, a cheap B-movie made in 1936 to warn audiences of the dangers of marijuana. White appeared as Mae, the tough mistress of dope-dealer Jack (Carleton Young). Jack encourages high school students to take a toke of marijuana, after which they become involved in rape, prostitution, suicide, and various other traumas. The film was a flop and vanished into the vaults for over 30 years.

White continued to struggle through B-movies and small roles for the next few years, and in Hollywood circles was more known for her private life than any oncamera abilities. She had flings with both men and women, including Marlene Dietrich, and went on to marry 3 times, first to radio star Claude Stroud (one of the Stroud twins) for five years, then a brief marriage to Max Hoffman, Jr. Her final marriage, to actor and costume designer Tony Millard, lasted for several decades.

During World War 2, White joined United Servicemen Overseas, a government program which featured entertainment for troops serving overseas. She went to Alaska on several occasions with Rose Hobart and Carmen Miranda. She continued to make appearances in B-movies such as the Bowery Boys film series, but near the end of the war contracted a crippling disease while appearing in the Aleutian Islands. White was bedridden for 5 years and told she would never walk again. Although she did partially recover and appeared in a few late 40's films, her career was essentially over.

Tell Your Children was found in a vault in 1972 and rechristened Reefer Madness by pro-marijuana activists and a young movie distributor who saw the movie as having great comedic appeal. The film gained a following on college campuses for its campy nature as well as its crazed depiction of marijuana use. White, who had starred with WC Fields and Jack Benny in her best years, was somewhat chagrined to be known for such a film. In 1987 she told the Los Angeles Times, "I'm ashamed to say that it's the only one of my films that's become a classic."

White's husband Mallard died in 1999. She had no children, and spent most of her time with her Mexican Hairless dogs. White died of pneumonia in the Motion Picture and Television Hospital on January 11, 2005.

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