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Entertainment • Actor

Lana Turner

Lana Turner was an American film actress known for her glamour, publicity-driven stardom, and major popularity in Hollywood during the 1940s and 1950s.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Lana Turner was an American film actress known for her glamour, publicity-driven stardom, and major popularity in Hollywood during the 1940s and 1950s. She also appeared on stage and television later in her career. Turner was one of MGM’s best-known stars and remained a prominent pop-culture figure until her death in 1995.

Early life

Lana Turner was born in 1921 in Wallace, Idaho, and later moved into acting. Sources identify her birth name as Julia Jean Mildred Frances Turner.

Film career

Turner rose to prominence in Hollywood in the late 1930s and became one of MGM’s major stars. She was especially popular in the 1940s and 1950s and appeared in well-known films associated with her glamorous screen image.

Public image and popularity

Turner became one of the era’s best-known glamour icons and was widely marketed for her looks and star persona. Her publicity and personal life helped keep her in the public eye throughout much of her career.

Later career and death

In later years, Turner worked in television and stage productions, including Falcon Crest and 40 Carats. She died in Los Angeles in 1995 of throat cancer.

Key facts

  • Lana Turner was an American film actress whose fame peaked in the 1940s and 1950s.
  • She was born Julia Jean Mildred Frances Turner in Wallace, Idaho.
  • She became known for glamorous roles and was often described as a Hollywood sex symbol or “Sweater Girl.”
  • Her career included film, television, and stage work, with later appearances including Falcon Crest and 40 Carats.
  • She died in 1995 in Los Angeles from throat cancer.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Lana Turner?
Lana Turner was an American actress who became one of Hollywood’s major stars in the 1940s and 1950s.
What was Lana Turner’s real name?
Her birth name was Julia Jean Mildred Frances Turner.
When was Lana Turner born?
She was born on February 8, 1921.
When did Lana Turner die?
She died on June 29, 1995, in Los Angeles, California.
What was Lana Turner known for?
She was known for glamorous film roles, a strong publicity image, and later work in television and stage productions.
What caused Lana Turner’s death?
She died of throat cancer.

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Lana-Turner
    Supports: Birth name, birth and death dates/places, American actress, career overview, popularity in the 1940s and 1950s.
  2. Encyclopedia.com — https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/literature-and-arts/film-and-television-biographies/lana-turner
    Supports: Career timeline including film debut, MGM contract, later television and stage work, and death.
  3. Encyclopedia.com — https://www.encyclopedia.com/women/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/turner-lana-1921-1995
    Supports: Career significance, glamour image, multiple marriages, and major public scandal.
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001805/bio/
    Supports: Birth name, birth and death details, and nickname 'Sweater Girl'.