Actress. She played tough but alluring leading ladies in B and occasional A films of the 1940s, including “Spy Smasher” (1942), “Murder in Times Square” (1943), “Destroyer” (1943), “Appointment in Berlin” (1943),  “The Walls Came Tumbling Down” (1946),  “Relentless” (1948),  and “The Green Promise” (1949).  Chapman was born in Chatham,  New York,  and made her film debut in 1940.  Much of her career was spent at Columbia Pictures.  Despite great looks and talent,  Chapman never achieved stardom and in the 1950s she slipped into supporting roles,  such as the secretary in “The Seven-Year Itch” (1955).  Her last film was “The Amazing Transparent Man” (1960).  She later made sporadic appearances on TV.  In 1996 Chapman was offered what would have been the role of her life,  as Old Rose in “Titanic” (1997),  but she was too ill to accept and the part went to Gloria Stuart. (bio by: Bobb Edwards)