Jane Greer

Biography

Jane Greer (born Bettejane Greer; September 9, 1924 – August 24, 2001) was an American film and television actress. Although best known for her femme fatale role in the noir Out of the Past (1947), her noteworthy roles in television include guest appearances on episodes of numerous shows over the decades, such as Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Bonanza, Quincy, M.E., Murder, She Wrote, and a 1975 gig with Peter Falk and Robert Vaughn in an episode of Columbo titled Troubled Waters. She even got to make fun of Out of the Past in a parody with Robert Mitchum on TV's Saturday Night Live in 1987. Greer joined the casts of Falcon Crest in 1984 and Twin Peaks in 1990 in recurring roles until her retirement in 1996. Greer was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1634 Vine Street for her contributions to the motion picture industry. The star was dedicated on February 8, 1960. In 2009, The Guardian named her one of the best actors never to have received an Academy Award nomination.

Known For

Twin Peaks

as Vivian Smythe Niles

Columbo

as Sylvia Danziger

Out of the Past

as Kathie Moffat

Saturday Night Live

as Kathie (uncredited)

Bonanza

as Julia Bulette

Murder, She Wrote

as Bonnie Phelps

Alfred Hitchcock Presents

as Mrs. Cannon-Hughes

Against All Odds

as Mrs. Wyler

Quincy, M.E.

The Big Steal

as Joan 'Chiquita' Graham