Virginia Welles

Virginia Welles (born Virginia Francine Welter; June 25, 1925 – September 19, 2002) was an American film actress. She is known for appearing in Shirley Temple films such as Kiss and Tell and A Kiss for Corliss (1949).

Welles was found by a talent agent while visiting Hollywood for her sister's wedding, where she was encouraged to do a screen test. Despite the offer, she instead opted to enrol on a college course in dramatics, where she was trained by actress Maude Adams. Upon her return to Hollywood, she signed a contract with Paramount Studios after her screen-test was picked up by agent William Meiklejohn.

She later took a break from the film industry to become a stage actress, before taking a hiatus from show business to raise a family. She returned several years later to star in Francis in the Haunted House opposite Mickey Rooney in 1956.

Welles died in September 2002 and was survived by her children and grandchildren.

Early life Welles was born Virginia Francine Welter in Wausau, Wisconsin, to parents Frank and Phylis (née Wheldon) Welter on June 25, 1925. She was the youngest of two daughters, her older sister being Gwendolyn, around two years her senior. She studied dance and piano in Wausau public schools. While there, they visited a boxing match to see movie stars and as they left, an assistant director invited Welles to attend an interview the following day with a casting director. Despite receiving an offer of a screen test, she opted instead to complete another year of college and was encouraged to return in a year by the studio.

In 1943, she re-enrolled at Stephens College, studyng drama under the tuition of the renowned actress Maude Adams.

Personal life Welles married insurance salesman Henry Kuh in September 1948 and with him had a son, Henry and a daughter, Patricia (Patsy).

Welles's daughter was severely injured in a car accident in 1972 and Welles devoted the remaining 30 years of her life to caring for her. Welles enjoyed playing the piano and was a music composer.

Death Welles died on September 19, 2002, in Rancho Mirage, California, and was survived by her two children and two grandchildren.

Filmography