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Jean Wallace

1923 – 1990

American television and film actress

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About Jean Wallace

Lived 1923 – 1990 (aged 66). Jean Wallace was an American actor, television actor, film actor, model and art collector.

Jean Wallace (born Jean Walasek or Wallasek; October 12, 1923 – February 14, 1990) was an American television and film actress.

Early life Wallace was born on October 12, 1923, in Chicago, Illinois,

Wallace graduated from Austin High School in Chicago

Career

Wallace was a dancer, singer, and showgirl for Earl Carroll. She signed with Paramount Pictures and had her first feature role in Louisiana Purchase.

Personal life Wallace married her Jigsaw costar Franchot Tone on October 18, 1941 in Yuma, Arizona. They had two sons, Pascal "Pat" Franchot Tone, born July 29, 1943, and Thomas Jefferson Tone, born September 16, 1945. Wallace and Tone divorced in 1948, and Tone was awarded custody of their sons. Wallace challenged that status in 1950 because of Tone's relationship with actress Barbara Payton, but a judge in Santa Monica, California, ruled that Tone would retain custody.

Wallace attempted suicide in 1946 by ingesting sleeping pills. In 1949, she again attempted suicide with a self-inflicted knife wound, causing her to be replaced by Ella Raines as the star of A Dangerous Profession.

She sang the theme song from the movie Beach Red, which Wilde produced and directed as well as starred in.

Wallace died from a gastrointestinal hemorrhage on February 14, 1990 at the age of 66.

Filmography

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
Austin Community Academy High School
Also known as
Jean Walasek

Family & relationships

Spouse
Cornel Wilde
Spouse
Franchot Tone

People in Jean Wallace's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Jean Wallace's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Jean Wallace?

American television and film actress (1923–1990)

When was Jean Wallace born?

Jean Wallace was born on 12 October 1923 in Chicago.

When did Jean Wallace die?

Jean Wallace died on 14 February 1990 in Los Angeles.

What was Jean Wallace's occupation?

Jean Wallace was an actor, television actor, film actor, model and art collector.

What nationality was Jean Wallace?

Jean Wallace was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Jean Wallace

· Wikidata: Q3175094

· DBpedia: Jean Wallace

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Jean Wallace. https://biography.guide/jean-wallace/

MLA: "Jean Wallace." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/jean-wallace/.

Chicago: "Jean Wallace." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/jean-wallace/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-25 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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