Joan Blondell

Birth Name: Rose Blondell

Date of Birth: August 30, 1906

Place of Birth: Manhattan, New York, New York, United States

Date of Death: December 25, 1979

Place of Death: Santa Monica, California, U.S.

Ethnicity:
*Ashkenazi Jewish (father)
*Irish (mother)

Joan Blondell was an American pageant queen, model, actress, and sex symbol. She appeared in over 20 films, including Gold Diggers of 1933, The Blue Veil, and Opening Night.

Her family was in vaudeville. Joan was the daughter of Catherine/Kathryn Cecelia “Katie” Blondell (born Cain/Kane) and Eddie Blondell/Edward Blondell (born Levi Bluestein/Bluestine). Her father was a Polish Jewish immigrant, who was raised in Columbus, Indiana, and toured with Blondell and Fennessy’s stage version of The Katzenjammer Kids. Her mother was born in New Jersey, and had Irish ancestry. Her sister was actress Gloria Blondell. Joan spent part of her childhood in Honolulu, Hawaii; Australia; and Dallas, Texas.

Joan had a son, producer, director, and television executive Norman Powell, with her former husband, cinematographer George Barnes; and a daughter with her former husband, actor, director, and producer Dick Powell.

Joan’s paternal grandfather was named Simon Bluestein/Bluestine. Simon was born in Lipowo, Podlaskie.

Joan’s paternal grandmother was named Rebecca “Riva” Karolsky/Karilsky.

Joan’s maternal grandfather was named John H. Cain/Kane. John was born in New York or Connecticut.

Joan’s maternal grandmother was named Frances Elizabeth “Lizzie” Madden (the daughter of John Madden and Catherine). Frances was born in New York. John was Irish, and was the son of Garret/Garrett A. Madden, who was born in County Tyrone, and of Mary Ann “Nancy,” who was born in County Cork.

Sources: Genealogies of Joan Blondell – https://www.geni.com
https://www.findagrave.com
https://www.wikitree.com

Birth record of Joan Blondell – https://www.familysearch.org

Joan Blondell on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Joan’s parents on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Joan’s father on the 1870 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Joan’s father on the 1880 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Death record of Joan’s father – https://www.familysearch.org

Birth record of Joan’s mother – https://www.familysearch.org