Jeanne Crain was an American actress, one of the most popular stars at 20th Century Fox during the 1940s and 1950s. Establishing herself with her wholesome and reassuring girl-next-door image, she played leading roles in numerous successful films. Her most significant works include the musical *State Fair* (1945), the drama *Leave Her to Heaven* (1945), and the ensemble comedy *A Letter to Three Wives* (1949). Her most acclaimed and complex role was that of Patricia "Pinky" Johnson in the controversial drama *Pinky* (1949), in which she portrayed a young, light-skinned African American nurse who passes for white. For this performance, Crain received her only Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. Her career continued successfully into the early 1950s, after which her appearances in film and television became less frequent until her retirement from acting.