Irene Dunne (December 20, 1898 – September 4, 1990) was an exceptionally elegant and versatile American actress and singer, renowned as one of the finest leading ladies of Hollywood’s Golden Age. After being discovered in a touring production of the musical Show Boat, she signed with RKO and quickly became a major star, despite beginning her film career in her thirties. Her remarkable range was her greatest asset; she could master sophisticated screwball comedy, earning an Oscar nomination for the classic The Awful Truth (1937) opposite Cary Grant, and then seamlessly pivot to heartfelt drama, receiving nominations for roles in the epic Western Cimarron (1931) and the beloved tearjerker Love Affair (1939). In total, Dunne was nominated five times for the Academy Award for Best Actress, with her final nod for the cherished family drama I Remember Mama (1948), cementing her legacy as a consummate performer who brought grace and wit to every role.