Colleen Townsend
Encyclopedia
Colleen Townsend is an American actress, author and humanitarian.
Townsend began a film career in 1944, appearing in minor roles in several films. By 1946, she was appearing on the cover of magazines, and in 1947 was signed to a contract by 20th Century Fox
. She was the subject of a cover story for Life in 1948, which discussed the way in which major studios groomed and manufactured their stars, using Townsend's story as an example. The studio created a photographic calendar for her, to "put [her] face in every home, office and barracks in America all year around." Hedda Hopper
was also quoted as saying that Townsend was "going places."
She played a featured role in the film The Walls of Jericho (1948), and was billed third behind Dan Dailey
and Celeste Holm
in Chicken Every Sunday
(1949). Her biggest success was in the 1950 film When Willie Comes Marching Home
, in which she was paired with Dan Dailey. Again... Pioneers (1950) provided her with her first lead role.
A devout evangelical Christian
(though raised Mormon
), Townsend was a speaker at youth fellowships. While still in Hollywood, she met and married Louis H. Evans. She left Hollywood in 1950 and went to attend the San Francisco Theological Seminary, and was followed by Louis Evans. Evans became the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Hollywood, and the couple became associated with Billy Graham
. Townsend, now billed as "Colleen Evans", returned to films briefly, starring in two films produced by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Oiltown, U.S.A. (1950) and Souls in Conflict (1955).
Thereafter she dedicated herself to humanitarian works, specifically in relation to racial or religious discrimination, human rights, and in furthering the role of women in society. She and her family relocated to Washington to work on improving relationships with the African-American community. She served as the first female chair of the Billy Graham Crusade in 1986.
As "Colleen Townsend Evans" she is the author of several books.
Townsend began a film career in 1944, appearing in minor roles in several films. By 1946, she was appearing on the cover of magazines, and in 1947 was signed to a contract by 20th Century Fox
20th Century Fox
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation — also known as 20th Century Fox, or simply 20th or Fox — is one of the six major American film studios...
. She was the subject of a cover story for Life in 1948, which discussed the way in which major studios groomed and manufactured their stars, using Townsend's story as an example. The studio created a photographic calendar for her, to "put [her] face in every home, office and barracks in America all year around." Hedda Hopper
Hedda Hopper
Hedda Hopper was an American actress and gossip columnist, whose long-running feud with friend turned arch-rival Louella Parsons became at least as notorious as many of Hopper's columns.-Early life:...
was also quoted as saying that Townsend was "going places."
She played a featured role in the film The Walls of Jericho (1948), and was billed third behind Dan Dailey
Dan Dailey
Daniel James Dailey Jr. was an American dancer and actor.-Early life and career:Born in New York City on December 14, 1915, to James J. and Helen Dailey, both born in New York City. He appeared in a minstrel show when very young, and appeared in vaudeville before his Broadway debut in 1937 in...
and Celeste Holm
Celeste Holm
Celeste Holm is an American stage, film, and television actress, known for her Academy Award-winning performance in Gentleman's Agreement , as well as for her Oscar-nominated performances in Come to the Stable and All About Eve...
in Chicken Every Sunday
Chicken Every Sunday
Chicken Every Sunday is a 1949 American comedy film directed by George Seaton. The screenplay by Seaton and Valentine Davies is based on the 1944 play of the same title by Julius J. Epstein and Philip G...
(1949). Her biggest success was in the 1950 film When Willie Comes Marching Home
When Willie Comes Marching Home
When Willie Comes Marching Home is a 1950 World War II comedy film directed by John Ford and starring Dan Dailey and Corinne Calvet. It is based on the 1945 short story When Leo Comes Marching Home by Sy Gomberg.-Plot:...
, in which she was paired with Dan Dailey. Again... Pioneers (1950) provided her with her first lead role.
A devout evangelical Christian
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
(though raised Mormon
Mormon
The term Mormon most commonly denotes an adherent, practitioner, follower, or constituent of Mormonism, which is the largest branch of the Latter Day Saint movement in restorationist Christianity...
), Townsend was a speaker at youth fellowships. While still in Hollywood, she met and married Louis H. Evans. She left Hollywood in 1950 and went to attend the San Francisco Theological Seminary, and was followed by Louis Evans. Evans became the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Hollywood, and the couple became associated with Billy Graham
Billy Graham
William Franklin "Billy" Graham, Jr. is an American evangelical Christian evangelist. As of April 25, 2010, when he met with Barack Obama, Graham has spent personal time with twelve United States Presidents dating back to Harry S. Truman, and is number seven on Gallup's list of admired people for...
. Townsend, now billed as "Colleen Evans", returned to films briefly, starring in two films produced by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Oiltown, U.S.A. (1950) and Souls in Conflict (1955).
Thereafter she dedicated herself to humanitarian works, specifically in relation to racial or religious discrimination, human rights, and in furthering the role of women in society. She and her family relocated to Washington to work on improving relationships with the African-American community. She served as the first female chair of the Billy Graham Crusade in 1986.
As "Colleen Townsend Evans" she is the author of several books.