Hedda Hopper

Born Elda Furry on May 2, 1885... She began as an actress in silent films in 1915. The following year saw her first appearance in a "talkie" The Battle of Hearts... One of her more notable films was 1922's Sherlock Holmes in which she played the role of Madge Larrabee... Before her film career ended in 1946 she appeared in over 120 films. She had a cameo appearance in Sunset Blvd. in 1950... "The Hedda Hopper Show" began on radio on November 6, 1939 and ended on June 28, 1947. A revival began on November 19, 1950 and ended on May 20, 1957... On television she made guest appearances on such shows as "I Love Lucy", "The Colgate Comedy Hour", "The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show", "Playhouse 90", "The Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse", "The Ford Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show", "The Steve Allen Show", "The Merv Griffin Show", "What's My Line?", "The Beverly Hillbillies", "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" and "Goodyear Television Playhouse." She is best known for her work as a Hollywood gossip writer...and she didn't always please everyone. Let's just say that this lady was quite controversial in her time...at one point she could make or break a performer's career with one article. An interesting note...she was the mother of actor William Hopper better known as the wonderful Paul Drake on TV's "Perry Mason" which aired for nine years on CBS. She passed away on February 1, 1966... In Memoriam Remembers: Hedda Hopper

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