The actor starred with Charlie Chaplin in Modern Times and became known for singing and acting in films throughout the 1940s

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

Actor and singer Gloria DeHaven has died at the age of 91.

The performer, who featured in films with Frank Sinatra, Gene Kelly and Charlie Chaplin, suffered a stroke three months ago and died in hospice care on Saturday.

DeHaven made her screen debut at the age of nine alongside Chaplin in Modern Times and soon signed a contract with MGM. She went on to feature in films such as Best Foot Forward, Summer Holiday, Two Girls and a Sailor and Scene of the Crime.

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As well as acting, DeHaven also performed musical numbers in many of her films, including The Girl Rush and So This is Paris with Tony Curtis. She also portrayed her real-life mother, vaudeville star Flora Parker, in the 1950 musical Three Little Words with Fred Astaire.

DeHaven later became a TV star, featuring in soaps As the World Turns and Ryan’s Hope. Her final film appearance was in 1997’s Out at Sea, playing Jack Lemmon’s love interest.

In a 1984 interview with the Los Angeles Times, DeHaven was asked how she had managed to maintain such a long career. She replied: “As Ingrid Bergman once said ‘There are only two things you need in life to be successful: good health and a bad memory.’”