Biography:  Did a lot of movies, but was in only two Blondie movies as receptionists, #18 Blondie Knows Best and #21 Blondie in the Dough.
I've seen a lot of Jean Willes' film and TV appearances and think she's a wonderful actress, very pretty, and undeniably sexy.  This portion of "Blondie's Page" will act as an unofficial tribute page to the lovely Ms. Willes.  Anyone who knows anything about Jean Willes please CONTACT ME.

A Biography in Progress of Jean Willes

1923-1933:  Born on April 15, 1923, Jean Donahue spent the first ten years of her life moving up and down the West Coast of the United States.  Born in Los Angeles (California), she was raised in Salt Lake City (Utah)*, then moved with her family to Seattle (Washington).

* David Cowhig, Jean's nephew, says that his mother (Jean's sister) told him that Jean grew up in Provo (rather than Salt Lake City), but he doesn't have any more information than that.

1933-1943:  I don't know anything about this period of her life.  Anyone who knows anything about it, please CONTACT ME.

1943-1945:  Jean Willes made her film debut in 1943's "So Proudly We Hail".  Looking at her filmography, you can tell work was slow for her in her first few years of acting.  She made only one movie in 1943, one in 1944, and two in 1945.  Willes was uncredited in all these movies besides her film debut...lending us to believe these were bit parts.

1946-1947:  Beginning with her first movie in 1946, Willes was billed in movies under her given name of Jean Donahue.*  Why she switched from Jean Willes to Jean Donahue is a question I'd like answered.  She made an impressive 6 movies in 1946 and another 6 in 1947.  Her star was on the rise and she was becoming a notable character actress in Columbia Pictures' "Three Stooges" and "Blondie" films.  She was only uncredited in 2 movies during this period, which were the "Blondie" movies.  Jean Donahue was finally getting noticed and coming out of an almost entirely uncredited acting resume.

*  David Cowhig, Jean's nephew, does not know where or why the Donahue name came about.  As far as he knows her maiden name was Willes.

1948-1952:  In 1948, Jean Donahue became Jean Willes again.  She made only 2 movies that year, and only 2 in 1949.  Why the sudden decline in film appearances?  I don't know for sure, but I'm guessing she was having a child around this time.*  That would take her out of acting for awhile, especially since she was primarily in "cheesecake" bit parts at the time.  If you know, please CONTACT ME.

*  An anonymous source gave me a copy of Jean's obituary, and from this I can deduce that Jean married football player Gerry Cowhig in 1951.  So I'm guessing that her son named Gerry came sometime after this.  That blows my theory about 1948 and 1949 out of the water.  This source (and David Cowhig) have told me that she had only one child.

1950 saw a great upswing in Jean's film appearances.  In that year, she was in an incredible 14 movies!  Only 5 of these were uncredited.  In 1951, she made 7 movies.  Not too shabby!  Only 1 of these movies was an uncredited appearance.  Jean had become a fixture in Hollywood and work seemed to come pretty steady.  She wasn't a big star, yet, but chances were if you saw a lot of movies in the early 1950s you would see Jean Willes in SOMETHING.

1952, for the most part, would follow the same basic trend as the previous two years, but roles were really starting to open up.  She made 8 movies that year, 3 of them uncredited.  Her first really notable film role would come with the movie "Jungle Jim in the Forbidden Land" opposite movie-star Johnny Weissmuller.  The Jungle Jim movies, although B-movies, were quite popular and led to even bigger pictures for Ms. Willes.  Later that year, she was in the still-popular "Son of Paleface" movie with Bob Hope.  Although an uncredited appearance as a college girlfriend, this was a mainstream movie that would only bolster her career.

1953-1959:  In 1953, the number of Jean Willes' film appearances were fewer, but more notable.  This is what every actress strives for!  She made 5 movies that year, but 2 of them were real biggies:  "Abbott & Costello Go to Mars" and "From Here to Eternity"!  She was now established as a character actress in A-pictures.  She had advanced past the B-pictures, although she would still do those here and there.

1954 only saw one film appearance.  She also did a few TV shows in that year.  I don't know why she didn't do more.  If you know, please CONTACT ME.

Eight movies would come in 1955.  Nothing too major here.  1956, however, was another very good year!  She was in 5 movies including the ever-popular cult classic "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" as a zombie nurse and one of Clark Gable's four leading ladies in "The King and Four Queens".   Between 1957-1959 she made 8 movies.  Nothing too big during this period.  An interesting movie from 1958 is "No Time For Sergeants" starring a yet-to-be-real-famous Andy Griffith.  Willes plays the lady captain who chews Andy out!  This movie has probably become more popular after "The Andy Griffith Show" than when it was first released.

1960-1964:  1960 brought even more interesting film projects from Ms. Willes.  She starred in the TV movie "The Slowest Gun in the West".  At this time, the idea of made-for-TV movies was new and highly unexpected.  The "Elmer Gantry" movie from that year brought about an infamous role with Jean as a prostitute.  Although not a real big role, a lot of people still talk about this film character.  In 1960, prostitute characters in film just weren't that prominent.  In a way, Jean Willes was a trendsetter for our more modern cinema.  She bridged the gap between classic cinema and more sophisticated entertainment.  Then, of course, she was in the HUGE "Ocean's Eleven" movie which has since been remade.  Film roles, however, became fewer in the 1960s as Willes was starting to get a bit older.  She was still sexy, no doubt about it, but she was nearing that ever closer 40-year-old mark that has foiled the careers of so many actresses all throughout movie history.  3 movies came in 1960, 3 in 1961, and only 1 movie in 1962.  In 1963, something highly irregular happened:  For the first time in twenty years of movie-making, she made NO film appearances.  In 1964, however, she came back with a substantial role in the movie "McHale's Navy" as McHale's would-be girlfriend.  At this time she was 41 years old.

1965-1970:  Willes made no movie appearances during this time.  I'd like to know why.  If you know, please CONTACT ME.

1970-1976:  Movie roles were pretty lean during the last half-decade of her film career.  Jean Willes only starred in 2 movies.  "The Cheyenne Social Club" was her 1970 contribution, and "Bite the Bullet" came in 1975.   She was 52 by the time she made her last movie.  Still attractive, but noticeably older, Willes left the movies in 1975 and never returned.  She continued with TV appearances through 1976, but finally gave that up at the age of 53.  But don't feel sorry for her.  She has a long and extremely impressive filmography in both movies and television with memorable roles and, for the most part, extremely steady work.  All in all, she was a very talented and lovely actress who certainly deserves the recognition as an experienced actress.

1977-1989:  What Ms. Willes did during her final years is a mystery to me.*  She died of liver cancer on January 3, 1989 at the age of 65.  If you know anything, please CONTACT ME.

*  David Cowhig, Jean's nephew, says that during her final years she lived with her husband Gerry Cowhig in Van Nuys, California.

Filmography:  Movies
"U" marks a performance in which she was uncredited for the film.

1940s

So Proudly We Hail! (1943)...as Lt. Carol Johnson

Here Come the Waves (1944)...Johnny Cabot fan "U"

Salty O'Rourke (1945)...The Other Girl "U"
You Came Along (1945)...Showgirl "U"

Ain't Love Cuckoo? (1946) (as Jean Donahue)
Monkey Businessmen (1946) (as Jean Donahue)...Miss Shapely
Sing While You Dance (1946) (as Jean Donahue)...Miss Flint
Honeymoon Blues (1946) (as Jean Donahue)...Peggy Dawson
Blondie Knows Best (1946)...Dr. Titus's Receptionist "U"
Slappily Married (1946) (as Jean Donahue)

Cigarette Girl (1947) (as Jean Donahue)...D.A.'s Secretary
Scooper Dooper (1947) (as Jean Donahue)
Bride and Gloom (1947) (as Jean Donahue)
Down to Earth (1947) (as Jean Donahue)...Betty
Hectic Honeymoon (1947)
Blondie in the Dough (1947)...Miss Marsh, Thorpe's Secretary "U"

The Mating of Millie (1948) "U"
The Winner's Circle (1948)

Let Down Your Aerial (1949)...Eddie's Wife
Chinatown at Midnight (1949)...Alice "U"

1950s

His Baiting Beauty (1950)
Hold That Monkey (1950)
A Woman of Distinction (1950)...Pearl the Switchboard Girl
Marinated Mariner (1950)...Betty Grant
Kill the Umpire (1950)...Pretty Girl "U"
David Harding, Counterspy (1950)...Nurse "U"
House About It (1950)
The Petty Girl [known as "Girl of the Year" in the UK] (1950)...Girl "U"
A Slip and a Miss (1950)
The Fuller Brush Girl [known as "Affairs of Sally" in the UK] (1950)...Mary "U"
Foy Meets Girl (1950)
Emergency Wedding [known as "Jealousy" in the UK] (1950)...Guest "U"
A Snitch in Time (1950)...Miss Scudder
Revenue Agent (1950)...Marge King

He Flew the Shrew (1951)...Gertie Werson
Wine, Women and Bong (1951)
Blonde Atom Bomb (1951)
The Awful Sleuth (1951)...Bert's Wife
Don't Throw That Knife (1951)...Lucy Wyckoff
Never Trust a Gambler (1951)...The Brunette "U"
Hula-La-La (1951)...Luana, King's Daughter
The Champ Steps Out (1951)

A Fool and His Honey (1952)...Wally's Wife
Jungle Jim in the Forbidden Land (1952)...Denise
A Yank in Indo-China [known as "Hidden Secret" in the UK] (1952)...Cleo
Gobs and Gals [aka "Cruising Casanovas"] (1952)...Wave
The Sniper (1952)...Woman
Son of Paleface (1952)...Penelope, Junior's Harvard Girlfriend

All Ashore (1953)...Rose
Abbott & Costello Go to Mars [aka "On to Mars" and "Rocket and Roll"] (1953)...Captain Olivia
From Here to Eternity (1953)...Annette, the Club Receptionist "U"
The Glass Web (1953)...Sonia, Actress Playing Paula
Run for the Hills (1953)...Frances Veach

Masterson of Kansas (1954)...Dallas Corey

Bowery to Bagdad (1955)...Claire Culpepper
His Pest Friend (1955)...Eddie's Wife
Gypped in the Penthouse (1955)...Jane, the Diamond Kid
Nobody's Home (1955)...Eddie's Wife
5 Against the House (1955)...Virginia, Brick's pickup
Bobby Ware is Missing (1955)...Janet Ware
He Took a Powder (1955)
Count Three and Pray [also known as "The Calico Pony" in U.S.A.] (1955)...Selma "U"

The Lieutenant Wore Skirts (1956)...Joan Sweeney
Invasion of the Body Snatchers [aka "Sleep No More" and "Walter Wanger's Invasion of the Body Snatchers"] (1956)...Nurse Sally Withers
The Revolt of Mamie Stover (1956)...Gladys
Toward the Unknown [known "Brink of Hell" in the UK] (1956)...Carmen
The King and Four Queens (1956)...Ruby McDade

The Man Who Turned to Stone (1957)...Tracy
Hell on Devil's Island (1957)...Suzanne
The Tijuana Story (1957)...Liz March
Hear Me Good (1957)...Rita Hall

Desire Under the Elms (1958)...Florence
No Time For Sergeants (1958)...WAF Captain

These Thousand Hills (1959)...Jen
The FBI Story (1959)...Anna Sage

1960s

The Slowest Gun in the West (1960 TV Movie)...Kathy McQueen
Elmer Gantry (1960)...Prostitute "U"
Ocean's Eleven (1960)...Mrs. Gracie Bergdorf

The Crowded Sky (1961)...Gloria Panawek
By Love Possessed (1961)...Junie McCarthy
Gun Street (1961)...Joan Brady

Gypsy (1962)...Betty Cratchitt

McHale's Navy (1964)...Margot Monet

1970s

The Cheyenne Social Club (1970)...Alice

Bite the Bullet (1975)...Rosie

Filmography:  Television
Coming Soon!  Not Yet Completed!

1953

The Range Rider episode "Border City Affair" (1953)
Four Star Playhouse episode "Man on a Train" (January 15, 1953)

1954

Adventures of Superman episode "Five Minutes to Doom" (September 18, 1954) [playing "Miss Cooper"]
General Electric Theater episode "The Face is Familiar" (November 21, 1954) [playing "Irene"]
The Jack Benny Program episode "The Life of Jack Benny" (November 28, 1954)

1955

Medic episode "Breath of Life" (January 24, 1955) [playing "Catherine Parker"]
Stories of the Century episode "Emma Hutchins" (February 15, 1955) [playing "Emma Hutchins"]
Four Star Playhouse episode "The House Always Wins" (April 28, 1955) [playing "Lucy"]
Science Fiction Theater episode "The Stones Began to Move" (August 12, 1955) [playing "Virginia Kincaid"]
Tales of the Texas Rangers episode "Carnival Criss-Cross" (September 3, 1955) [playing "Belle Bishop"]
Four Star Playhouse episode "Let the Chips Fall" (October 20, 1955) [playing "Helen Archer"]

1956

The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp episode "Bat Masterson Again" (April 17, 1956) [playing "Amy Pelton"]
Screen Directors Playhouse episode "Claire" (April 25, 1956) [playing "Roberta"]
Frontier episode "The Return of Jubal Dolan" (August 26, 1956) [playing "Ruth"]
The Adventures of Fu Manchu episode "The Golden God of Dr. Fu Manchu" (September 10, 1956) [playing "Ann Jordan"]
Crusader episode "Innocent Bystander" (September 19, 1956) [playing "Fay Martin"]
Zane Grey Theater episode "The Long Road Home" (October 19, 1956) [playing "Jenny Gracie"]
General Electric Theater episode "The Charlatan" (November 11, 1956) [playing "Nurse"]

1957

The New Adventures of Charlie Chan episode "The Secret of the Sea" (1957) [playing "Donovan"]
Zane Grey Theater episode "The Necessary Breed" (February 15, 1957) [playing "Kate"]
State Trooper episode "Out of Line" (September 15, 1957)
Perry Mason episode "The Case of the Crimson Kiss" (November 9, 1957) [playing "Anita Bonsal"]
Man Without a Gun episode "Decoy" (November 13, 1957)
Tales of Wells Fargo episode "Barbara Coast" (November 25, 1957)
Official Detective episode "Hijackers" (December 3, 1957)
Goodyear Theatre episode "The Crowd Pleaser" (December 9, 1957) [playing "Mary Whitman"]
Zane Grey Theatre episode "Gift from a Gunman" (December 13, 1957) [playing "Marcy"]

1958

Pictures


"Dante's Inferno" logo from 1987 TV Hits VHS release

In June of 2005, Jean Willes' nephew David Cowhig shared with me much information on his aunt (which you can read above) and gave me permission to use the following publicity pictures of Jean which originally appeared on his cousin Gerard Cowhig's website.  Gerard passed away some time ago, but fortunately his website (at the time of this writing) and his mother's memory lives on!  Click on the thumbnails below for larger images.




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This award for "Blondie's Page" received July 9, 2005.  Brad Lang maintains Classic Movies and truly appreciates Hollywood's Golden Age.  How thrilled I was to learn that he listed this site as one of the Best New Links to his very large website for that particular week.  It's very nice to be noticed and I enjoy hearing from him and all of you!  Visit his website by clicking the graphic above.