Actress. Born Irene Luther in Buffalo, New York, she had a successful career as a real estate agent and two failed marriages behind her when she broke into films as an extra in 1918. Her bedroom eyes and mature, patrician beauty made her a natural to play worldly women in scores of silent-era tearjerkers, and she was called upon to bring class to westerns and slapstick comedies. Rich was John Barrymore’s leading lady in “Beau Brummel” (1924) and co-starred with Will Rogers in several films, often cast as his nagging wife. She gave her finest performance in “Lady Windermere’s Fan” (1925), communicating the wit of Oscar Wilde’s play with her facial expressions alone. With talkies Rich shifted to maternal roles. Her screen credits include “Castles in the Air” (1919), “Rosita” (1923), “A Woman Who Sinned” (1924), “Beware of Married Men” (1927), “So This Is London” (1930), “The Champ” (1931), “The Mortal Storm” (1940), “Fort Apache” (1948), and “Joan of Arc” (1948). From 1933 to 1945 Rich hosted the popular radio anthology series “Dear John” (later called “The Irene Rich Show”). She retired in 1950 after marrying a wealthy businessman. (bio by: Bobb Edwards)  Family links:  Spouse:  David Fergusen Blankenhorn (1886 – 1969)*  Children:  Irene Frances Luthern Deffenbaugh Rich (1910 – 2007)* *Calculated relationship