One of the brightest film stars to grace the silver screen was born Lily Claudette Chauchoin on September 13, 1903 in Paris, Seine, France. Her banker father moved the family to the United States when she was three. As she grew up, Claudette wanted nothing more than to play to Broadway audiences. Any actress or actor worth their salt went for Broadway, not Hollywood. After Claudette's formal education ended, she enrolled in the Art Students' League where she paid for her dramatic training by working in a dress shop. She made her Broadway debut in 1923 in the stage production of The Wild Wescotts. It was during this event that she adopted the name Claudette Colbert.
First up Claudette was charming and radiant in Cecil B. DeMille's spectacular Cleopatra (1934). It wasn't one of DeMille's finest by any means but it was a financial success and showcased Claudette as never before. But it was as Ellie Andrews, in the now famous It Happened One Night (1934), that ensured she would be forever immortalized. Paired with Clark Gable, the madcap comedy was a super hit all across the country. The film also helped Claudette be nominated for and win in the category of Best Actress. In 1944, Claudette starred as Anne Hilton in the production of Since You Went Away (1944). Again, although she didn't win, Claudette won her third nomination for Best Actress. By the time the late 40s and early 50s rolled around she was not only seen on the screen but the infant medium of television where she was on a number of programs. However, her drawing card was fading somewhat as new stars replaced the older ones. In 1955, she filmed Texas Lady and wasn't seen again until Parrish in 1961. After a series of strokes, Claudette divided her time between New York and Barbados. On July 30, 1996, Claudette died in Speightstown, Barbados. She was 92.