Born in Los Angeles, CA. First appeared in stock at the age of five; made her Broadway debut in 1912. In 1934 she appeared in her first film, THIS SIDE OF HEAVEN (1934). Four years later she won the Academy Award as best supporting actress in JEZEBEL (1938). Nominated for best actress award that same year (1938) for WHITE BANNERS (1938) and for best supporting actress for THE CHILDREN'S HOUR (1962), her last and grimmest role. She was usually cast as an understanding mother or sympathetic matron. She was the mother of actor Richard Venable (1926-74).  Nominated for Actress 1938: WHITE BANNERS  Supporting Actress 1938: JEZEBEL  Nominated for Supporting Actress 1961: THE CHILDREN'S HOUR 3 nominations, 1 Award