Arguably the most famous and prominent person to come out of Denison, Iowa is Donna Reed. Born January 27th, 1921 Reed eventually moved out to Hollywood to go to the Los Angeles City College and
Arguably the most famous and prominent person to come out of Denison, Iowa is Donna Reed. Born January 27th, 1921 Reed eventually moved out to Hollywood to go to the Los Angeles City College and study performing arts. While performing in various stage productions she was approached by agents to screen test.
Insisting she finish her education, she eventually signed with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1941 and went on to star in more than 40 films. One of these films catapulted her to immortal popularity, It’s a Wonderful Life. Billed as one of America’s most popular films to ever be made, this timeless classic emerges yearly around Christmas time.
In fact, the Denison’s water tower has the movie title printed on it for all to see and there’s a Donna Reed Theater located in downtown Denison with pictures of Reed’s most iconic movie roles mounted on the walls.
Awards ceremony
Another famous acting role she is most known for is the 1953 WWII drama From Here to Eternity, which garnered her an Oscar for her supporting role alongside Frank Sinatra. In fact, her award she won that very night at the Oscars is on display in the W.A. McHenry house.
Another award she earned was a Golden Globe for her role as Donna Stone in The Donna Reed Show which aired from 1958 to 1966. And this award sits in the Donna Reed Museum right in downtown Denison. Personally, I love that the citizens have embraced their local celebrity and continue to honor her by preserving her accomplishments. They even have a replica of Reed’s star from the Hollywood Walk of Fame right in front of the Museum.
Everywhere you look
From naming a street after her to even having an annual festival, Denison continues to show love to one of its most iconic residents. In fact, seeing the overwhelming admiration for a real Iowa girl, who made it to the big screen but never forgot her upbringing, is beyond heartwarming.
Winning a local beauty pageant while attending Denison High School, to being voted the Queen of Campus at Los Angeles, to even starting a political organization during Vietnam, it’s no wonder fans of all ages have come to adore her. She had both beauty and brains.
You can check out The Donna Reed Foundation website here: https://www.donnareed.org/, and for more reading material on Donna Reed and her list of accomplishments, visit IMDb’s (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001656/) and Britannica’s (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Donna-Reed) articles.
