Born in Brooklyn in 1907, she became one of Hollywood's most versatile and enduring stars. Rising from a difficult childhood, she began her career in theater before transitioning to film in the late 1920s. Known for her strong, independent characters, she excelled in a variety of genres, from film noir to comedies. Over her career, she received four Academy Award nominations and won an honorary Oscar in 1982. Her work in television also earned her three Emmy Awards. She passed away in 1990.