Deanna Durbin, the Hollywood child star who sang in the 1941 film, "Nice Girl?", has died at 91.
According to The New York Times, Durbin's son released a statement that his mom "died a few days ago." Peter H. David sent a special thanks to fans of the movie icon for respecting her privacy. No other details of her death were given.
Durbin began her career at the tender age of 14, when she starred alongside Judy Garland in "Every Sunday". It was not until her role in the 1936 film, "Three Smart Girls", that Durbin made a name for herself, as stated by Reuters. The latter was Oscar-nominated for best picture in 1937.
Old-Hollywood enthusiasts will remember Durbin's soft soprano in musical films such as "Mad About Music" and "That Certain Age".
By 1946, Durbin became the second-highest paid woman in America, according to The New York Times. The movie star earned a $323,477 salary from Universal, falling behind fellow star, Bette Davis.
Producer Joe Pasternak believed that Durbin's stardom was pure talent and that no one could take credit for her gift.
Pasternak expressed that stardom is "a matter of chemistry between the public and the player."
"You can't hide that kind of light under a bushel," Pasternak said. "You just can't, even if you try."
Although the star experienced much film success, Durbin shunned away from the public's spotlight. She rejected numerous interviews and all calls for a potential comeback in the movie industry.
In a rare 1958 interview, Durbin told the press about her displeasure with acting.
"The character I was forced into had little or nothing in common with myself - or with other youth of my generation, for that matter," Durbin said. "I was never happy making pictures. I've gained weight. I do my own shopping, bring up my two children and sing an hour every day."
