This Day in History March 23, 1905

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First of all, there is some discrepancy about the date.  Some sites say 1905, some 1906, and one says 1908.  So just know that the date may not be accurate.  And who are we celebrating today?  On this date in one of those years, Joan Crawford was born in San Antonio, Texas.  Her birth name was Lucille Fay LeSueur.  The nickname she preferred as child was "Billie," and she loved to watch vaudeville acts as she was growing up.


Her early career was a chorus girl in the 1920's under her birth name.  A contest was eventually held to change her name, and the name that was picked was one she disliked throughout her life--Joan Crawford.  Due to her own self-promotion, she eventually did become a star.  She first landed light parts in films, but in time, she landed more serious parts.  


Her personal life was pretty crazy.  Her daughter alleged physical and emotional abuse in her best-selling book, Mommie Dearest.  She had several failed marriages as well, but she was a great success on the screen.  She also had a drinking problem.  She died May 10, 1977.


I am not a huge Joan Crawford fan, but I have to say that she was a fine actress in the Golden Age of Hollywood.  For more information, please check out the following links:
http://www.answers.com/topic/joan-crawford 

http://www.joancrawfordbest.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_Crawford