Mrs. Norman Maine

JANET GAYNOR AS VICKI LESTER IN A STAR IS BORN (1937)

Although we adore Judy and her A Star is Born, for us, the only Esther Blodgett, aka Vicki Lester, is Miss Janet Gaynor (October 6, 1906 - September 14, 1984). In fact, her real life rise to fame sounds like something out of a movie fantasy: after a year of unbilled bits, she was suddenly cast in a leading role and instantly became a huge superstar, winning the first Best Actress Oscar in 1928. Despite her beloved status, Gaynor had largely retired by the 1940's, settled into domesticity as the wife of famed MGM costume designer Adrian. Undoubtedly, their union raised more than a few eyebrows (as did Gaynor's close friendship with Mary Martin, and Adrian's reported close friendship with Martin's husband, Richard Halliday), but it did produce a son. Janet Gaynor passed away in 1984, from complications stemming from a horrific car accident she had been involved in two years prior. Happy Birthday, Janet Gaynor! Once a star, always a star.