Vanessa Brown

Early life

Vanessa Brown was born to Jewish parents in Vienna, Austria — her father Nah Brind, a language teacher, and her mother Anna Brind, a psychologist. In 1937, the family escaped the Nazi regime’s persecution, initially moving to Paris, France.

A few years later, they traveled to America, where Brown went to Lillian Hellman’s casting call for a role in “Watch on the Rhine.” Hellman was impressed by her multilingualism, which led to her being chosen to be Ann Blyth’s understudy and ultimately playing Babette on Broadway and in the touring production of the play.

She participated in playwriting and directing while in high school. She went on to study at the University of California, Los Angeles, where she graduated in 1949 with a degree in English. She also contributed to the Daily Bruin, the school newspaper, as a feature writer and movie reviewer while attending UCLA.

Career

During the Hollywood film industry’s golden age, the 1940s and 1950s, Vanessa Brown’s career took off. Her roles in theater and movies brought her recognition very fast. Audiences and critics alike praised Vanessa for her versatility in portraying a wide range of personalities.
Vanessa collaborated with some of the most well-known actors and directors of her day during her career. She had a successful career as an actor, working on stage, television, and radio thanks to her talent and commitment to her profession.

Radio

Vanessa Brown, a bright young panelist on the radio series “Quiz Kids,” demonstrated her literary and linguistic expertise for two years, during which time her IQ of 165 was raised. Later in life, she shared her knowledge with a wider audience as the host of an interview program on Voice of America.
Being a well-known radio personality, she was featured on several other esteemed radio shows, such as “Lux Radio Theatre,” “Skippy Hollywood Theatre,” “NBC University Theatre,” and “Theatre Guild on the Air,” using her voice.

Film

As a junior member of the National Board of Review, Brown contributed her critical acumen to the motion picture industry. Her family relocated to Los Angeles courtesy of RKO Radio Pictures, which led to her cinematic debut in “Youth Runs Wild” (1944) under the name Tessa Brind. Subsequently, RKO rebranded her as Vanessa Brown, casting her in a variety of young leading lady roles.

Her filmography in the late 1940s was impressive, featuring in titles like “The Late George Apley” (1947), “The Ghost and Mrs. Muir” (1947) where she played Mrs. Muir’s adult daughter Anna, and “Big Jack” (1949), which was Wallace Beery’s final film. Her role in “The Heiress” (1949) further solidified her position in the industry.
Notably, she portrayed Jane in “Tarzan and the Slave Girl” (1950) opposite Lex Barker and appeared in Vincente Minnelli’s “The Bad and the Beautiful” (1952). Her final film role was in the horror movie “The Witch Who Came from the Sea” (1976), where she played Millie Perkins’s sister.

Television

Throughout the 1950s, Vanessa Brown made her mark on television as a frequent panelist on CBS’s “I’ll Buy That.” She showcased her acting skills in early live TV dramas such as “Robert Montgomery Presents” and “The Philco Television Playhouse,” and made appearances on shows like “Pantomime Quiz” and “Leave It to the Girls.” Her talent continued to shine in later years with roles in series like “The Wonder Years” and “Murder, She Wrote.” In the episode “The Sally Potter Story” of “Wagon Train” (S1E28), aired on April 9, 1958, she starred as the titular character with a young Martin Milner as her romantic lead. Her guest role as Donna Kress in “The Case of Paul Drake’s Dilemma” (1959) on “Perry Mason” further exemplified her versatile acting capabilities.

Stage

Brown returned to the Broadway stage as the original “The Girl” in “The Seven Year Itch,” a role that Marilyn Monroe famously played in the film adaptation in 1955. Throughout the 1950s, she remained active in television and lent her voice as a narrator for the United World Federalists documentary “Eight Steps to Peace” (1957), alongside Vincent Price and Robert Ryan.

Her artistic talents extended to writing for the stage as well, evidenced by her play “Europa and the Bull,” inspired by the myth of Europa.
Painting

By 1959, Brown had also established herself as a promising artist. A newspaper article from that year lauded her oil paintings, which adorned the homes of notable film industry figures. She signed her artworks with her birth name, Smylla. Her artistic prowess was recognized with a solo exhibition of her work at a Beverly Hills gallery in 1958, further highlighting her multifaceted talents.

Net Worth

While specific details about Vanessa Brown’s net worth at the time of her passing are not readily available, her successful career in Hollywood and theater likely afforded her a comfortable lifestyle. Her earnings would have been a reflection of her roles in various productions and her status in the entertainment industry.

Achievement

Here are some highlights from Brown’s life and career achievements.

Fled Nazi persecution with her family, settling first in Paris and then in America, showcasing resilience and adaptability.

Auditioned for and impressed Lillian Hellman, leading to a role in "Watch on the Rhine."

Became the understudy to Ann Blyth and later performed the role of Babette on Broadway and in touring productions, demonstrating her acting talent and dedication.

Fluent in several languages, which not only helped her in her acting career but also showcased her intellectual versatility.

Wrote and directed plays in high school, highlighting her early passion and talent for the dramatic arts.

Graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1949 with a major in English, indicating her commitment to education and literary skills.

Served as a movie critic and feature writer for the Daily Bruin, UCLA's campus newspaper, demonstrating her ability to critically analyze and write about cinema.

These points reflect her journey from a young immigrant fleeing persecution to a talented and recognized actress and writer.

SOCIAL PROFILE

Not relevant, as she died before the age of social media. There are fan sites and accounts available today.