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Janet Blair Obituary
Blair died Monday from complications of pneumonia, her children Amanda and Andrew Mayo said.
"She was just a lot of fun and all about life," Amanda Mayo said. "She was an incredible talent and actress. They just don't make them like her anymore."
Blair languished in second-rate pictures until Rosalind Russell recommended her for the title role in the comedy "My Sister Eileen." She won praise from critics, and her roles quickly improved.
She appeared opposite George Raft in the gangster movie "Broadway" and costarred with Cary Grant and a dancing caterpillar in the 1944 comedy-fantasy "Once Upon a Time." She was the love interest in "The Fabulous Dorseys," starring bandleaders Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey, and appeared opposite Red Skelton in the 1946 sleeper hit "The Fuller Brush Man."
But after the 1948 swashbuckler "The Black Arrow," Columbia dropped her and she turned her back on Hollywood, moving on to theater and television.
"All I got were princess parts," she said then. "A girl gets tired of being a princess all of the time."
From the late 1940s through the mid-1950s, she appeared in such Golden Age of Television shows as The Ford Theatre Hour, the Philco Television Playhouse, Lux Video Theatre and The United States Steel Hour.
She returned to movies in 1957, starring opposite Skelton again, in "Public Pigeon No. 1."
She made only a handful of films after that, including "The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band" opposite Fred MacMurray and Buddy Ebsen in 1968.
She joined television's landmark "Caesar's Hour" in 1956. She left after just one season, complaining she was "not given the opportunity I had been led to believe I'd get."
She returned to series television in 1972 as Fonda's wife in "The Smith Family."
She is survived by her two children.
Memories and Condolences
for Janet Blair
41 Entries
Dolly Nasby
June 25, 2016
From the time I was a small child, my mother had told me that she and Janet Blair were second cousins. As am adult I did research and learned that my maternal grandfather and Janet Blair's father were first cousins and that made my mother and Janet Blair first cousins. I loved seeing her perform in movies when I was growing up. I now want to purchase many of those movies to have to watch in my retirement. Looking at pictures of her over the years, I can definitely see the Lafferty family resemblance. I doubt any family member will read this, but she was a blessing for our family.
Harry Simpson
February 19, 2015
Thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.
Denise Dodd
March 17, 2014
While compiling family information with my son for a scouting "Genealogy" merit badge this weekend, we found our that my grandfather, William Francis Lafferty was Ms. Blair's brother! Something wonderful to celebrate on St. Patrick's Day!
Denisha
March 30, 2009
I am a young one that has suffered from the lost of a loved one. May the comforting thought from the Bible book of Revelation, the 21st chapter, verse 4 be of comfort to the entire Blair family. It reads: "And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” May Our Heavenly Father give you the strength you need to cope with your loss and to make it through these difficult days. I offer my sincere condolences to you all.
Karen Hulbert
September 17, 2007
Dear Mandy,
I was just at my mother's this past weekend looking through old photo albums and saw a picture of you and I playing in our yard on Antello around 1962. Being only three years older than you, I don't remember your mother well but am familiar with her wonderful work. I do remember you, however, mostly how much fun you were and how kind. Even at age 6, I was impressed that the daughter of a famous actress was so down to earth and genuinely nice. It is a quite a tribute to Janet Blair as a person and a mother.
Peace to you and your brother as you celbrate her life.
Katarina Ireland (formerly Karen Hulbert)
David Lafferty ([email protected])
August 8, 2007
Just discovered our family link with Martha Jane. So sad to discover a new 'relation' months after she passed away. I am finding out more about her and happy to see she was a wonderful talent and person. My great-great grandfather and her dad were brothers. My condolences from all the branch of the Lafferty family in England.
Bill LaVallee
April 26, 2007
I loved Janet Blair. She was so wonderful in "Tonight & Every Night" which I just viewed again the other night. When Rita Hayworth died, Janet Blair and I shared a car from the church to the grave site and I got to know her a bit on a personal level. She was really a delightful woman and was amused that I remembered that, even as a grown man, I had had paper dolls of her and the Dorsey Brothers published when she did a motion picture with them. A wonderfully talented woman who gave a great deal of pleasure to the world and, I believe, never really received the kind of recognition she truly deserved. The world is a darker place without her shining light.
eric fischer
March 4, 2007
a very sweet wonderful talent,who i had the pleasure to meet .god bless.
Eric and Karen Fischer
March 4, 2007
Dear Mandy and Andrew,
We are so sorry for the loss of your mother. Our hearts are with you. We miss you!
Amanda Blair Mayo
March 2, 2007
Thank you all for your kind words and thoughts of my mother Janet Blair. She would definately get a kick knowing how many great fans she had.This book brought tears of joy to me and my brother Andrew.
We have always been very proud to say she is our Mom and a great talented, caring woman.I just know she's up there singing,dancing, and running the whole show now.
We miss her and love that all of you took the time to write. Many thanks and god bless to all.
Sherry Allen
February 23, 2007
I was born in 1956, and I remember
Janet Blair. All I can say is thanks for the memories.
Codolences to the Blair family.
Our world is a better place for knowing her.
Robert Watkins
February 23, 2007
God Bless her family.
Susan Graham
February 23, 2007
Happy,joyful,bright and cheerful is how Janet Blair came across to audiences. She was wonderful and I especially loved her in "Tars and Spars" and on stage in "South Pacific." She will be greatly missed. My sympathy to her family.
richard babcock
February 23, 2007
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life’s routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Andrew Carpenter
February 23, 2007
My best wishes to all of Ms. Blairs family.It's with a Heavy heart that I send my warmest thoughts and prayers.
Bob Perles
February 22, 2007
thanks for the many hours of enjoyment from your films and tv
Diane Snavely Cox
February 22, 2007
Dear Amanda and Family,
I just seen an article in our local paper, The Altoona Mirror, on the passing of your mother. So sorry to hear about this. My mother always would say their's my cousin when a movie would come on TV. We are related down the path through the Lafferty's. Please except our heartfelt condolences.
Lula Westover Snavely and Diane Cox
Michael Warren
February 22, 2007
Join your Fellow Stars in the sky and never be forgot for your work in film, stage, and TV.
Lorraine Webber
February 22, 2007
Heaven now has another angel.
Rest in peace, Sweet Lady.
Sheila
February 22, 2007
Another great actress has left us. Rest in peace.
J William Ford
February 22, 2007
Rest in peace angel....
Janet Blair Miller
February 21, 2007
I was born in 1959. My parents were so fond of the her, they named me Janet Blair! May her spirit and work live on forever.
noreen ALVAREZ
February 21, 2007
we very sorry
February 21, 2007
Janet Blair was always a pleasure to watch in the movies. My condolences to her family and she will be missed
Nancy Clay
February 21, 2007
We have lost another great actrees and lady. She was always a real pleasure to watch in every role she played.
David Packer
February 21, 2007
How very sad I am to learn of the death of Janet Blair...what a lovely lady and talented actress she was...I especially enjoyed her in the television series The Smith Family. My heartfelt sympathy to her family.
Judy Hallam
February 21, 2007
Thank you for all the wonderful work you did. I particularly enjoyed the summer TV shows you did with John Raitt. Brava!
KATHERINE CUNNINGHAM
February 21, 2007
TO HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS. SHE WAS A BEAUTIFUL LADY. I ENJOYED HER MOVIES FROM CHILD HOOD AND SHE WAS GREAT. NOW SHE IS WITH THE ANGELS AND GOT HER WINGS.GOD BLESS YOU MY DEAR.FROM A FAN IN ORLANDO FLA.
AND YOU SURELY WILL BE MISSED BY ALL. K.CUNNINGHAM
D.L. ZIMMERMAN
February 21, 2007
REST IN PEACE, JANET
Kathy Goehring
February 21, 2007
Janet Blair was such a great and talented actresses! I loved her projects. She shall be sorely missed. Our Condolences to the Family. She leaves behind some beautiful memories.
Peter Ranoia
February 21, 2007
What a beautiful and talented woman. When I was 10 years which was 65 years ago I was in love with Janet Blair and 65 laters I still am. I am so saddened by her passing and she is going to heaven and be with the other people.
God Bless you and all.
February 21, 2007
Our Condolences to the Family, Janet was loved by many and will be missed always. she left us with beautiful memories with her talent.
Rest in peace.
Sissy
Joseph Menza
February 21, 2007
Great actress, great looking and a very good person. RIP
PAUL
February 21, 2007
AMANDA, YOU ARE SO RIGHT--THEY JUST DON'T MAKE THEM LIKE HER ANYMORE. NO ONE CAN STAY HERE FOREVER, BUT IT IS SAD TO SEE STARS FROM HER ERA GO.
Devoted Fan B.H.
February 20, 2007
i saw all of Miss Blair's movies and enjoyed them all very much. She was a beautiful and talented actress. My sympathy to her family.
Irene allen and family
February 20, 2007
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Jared Walker
February 20, 2007
Rest in peace.
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