Luella Gear(1897-1980)
- Actress
Privately educated New York-born comedienne whose acerbic wit enlivened many a Broadway musical
comedy and revue for fifty years. Sadly, she made relatively few forays into motion
pictures. After attending Spence School in her home town, Louella took acting classes
and made her theatrical debut in 1917. Her many celebrated successes on stage
included the parody "Life Begins at 8:40" (1934-35) and "Streets of
Paris" (1939-40). On both occasions she played multiple parts. Her
typical screen persona was as an acid-tongued, worldly socialite or
wisecracking friend of the heroine.
During World War II, Louella toured with the wartime comedy play "Count Me In" as part of the USO, entertaining troops in the South Pacific. Her last major post-war role was that of Julia Ward McKinlock in the hit romantic comedy "Sabrina Fair" on Broadway (1953-54). From the early 1950's she also made occasional guest appearances on television.
During World War II, Louella toured with the wartime comedy play "Count Me In" as part of the USO, entertaining troops in the South Pacific. Her last major post-war role was that of Julia Ward McKinlock in the hit romantic comedy "Sabrina Fair" on Broadway (1953-54). From the early 1950's she also made occasional guest appearances on television.
