Irene Dare

Irene Dare (born Irene Davidson, February 14, 1931 — May 29, 2020) was an American figure skater and film actress. In the late 1930s, she was described as "a small edition of Sonja Henie" and "closer to being 'another Shirley Temple' than anybody in recent years."

Life and career Dare was born as Irene Davidson on February 14, 1931. Her parents were Mr. and Mrs. Harry B. Davidson, neither of whom was a skater. She initially took lessons in acrobatic dancing. and was "very fond" of that activity.

In 1938, at age 5, Dare was the world's youngest figure skater. At that point, she had been skating for years and had appeared in 16 ice shows. Also that year, Principal Productions announced plans to make a film of Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates with Bobby Breen in the title role and Dare portraying Greta.

Film producer Sol Lesser learned about Dare from friends and watched her perform in New York, after which he eventually got her under contract to make films. Dare's scenes in the film included dances, somersaults, spins, and whirls on ice in elaborate sequences. Her first starring role came in Everything's on Ice (1939). She also performed in the film Silver Skates (1943).

In 1939, Dare had a six-year film contract for $1,200 per week.

Dare died in Pacifica, California on May 29, 2020, at the age of 89.