Born in Hawarden, IA. A six-foot-two 230-pound giant of a woman, she specialized in comedy during her vaudeville and Broadway years in the 1920s and 30s, but was exploited on the screen in such roles as a murderous masseuse in CRY OF THE CITY (1948) and a sadistic prison matron in CAGED (1950). In a lighter vein, she was memorable as the circus strongwoman in ADAM'S RIB (1949).  Nominated for Supporting Actress 1950: CAGED 1 nomination