Parsons, Louella (1881–1972)

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Parsons, Louella (1881–1972)

American gossip columnist. Name variations: Louella Oettinger; Louella O. Parsons. Born Aug 6, 1881, in Freeport, IL; died of a stroke, after a lengthy illness, in Santa Monica, CA, Dec 9, 1972; dau. of Joshua Oettinger (clothing store owner) and Helen (Stine) Oettinger; attended Dixon College and Normal School; m. John Dement Parsons, Oct 31, 1905 (div., died 1919); m. Jack McCaffrey, c. 1915 (div.); m. Harry Martin, c. 1942 (died 1951); children: (1st m.) Harriet Oettinger Parsons (b. Aug 23, 1906).

Driven, sometimes ruthless, Hollywood gossip columnist who wielded considerable power in the entertainment industry (1940s–50s); wrote one of 1st US movie columns, for the Chicago Record-Herald (1914–18); wrote a movie gossip column for Hearst Publications, syndicated in 400 newspapers (1922–65); also wrote The Gay Illiterate (1944) and Tell It to Louella (1961), and appeared in films Hollywood Hotel (1937), Without Reservations (1946) and Starlift (1951).

See also George Eells, Hedda and Louella (Putnam, 1972); and Women in World History.

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