WAMPAS Baby Stars

The WAMPAS Baby Stars was a promotional campaign sponsored by the United States Western Association of Motion Picture Advertisers, which honored 13 (15 in 1932) young actresses each year whom they believed to be on the threshold of movie stardom. The campaign ran from 1922 to 1934, except for 1930 and 1933.

Most failed to live up to their promotion. However, a small number of the selections went on to become major movie stars: Clara Bow (1924), Janet Gaynor (1926), Fay Wray (1926), Dolores del Rio (1926), Mary Astor (1926), Joan Crawford (1926), Loretta Young (1929), Jean Arthur (1929), Joan Blondell (1931) and Ginger Rogers (1932). Gaynor, Astor, Crawford, Young and Rogers all were awarded the Academy Award for Best Actress during their careers, with Gaynor receiving the first one during the first year of the award's existence.

Clara Bow was a Silent era star known as The It Girl. She was Hollywood's greatest female draw at her peak, but her career predated the Academy Awards. Arthur and Blondell had long and fruitful careers in Hollywood, the former as a lead actress, the latter usually in supporting roles after the Pre-Code era.

Others with significant Hollywood careers included Evelyn Brent (1923), Joyce Compton (1926), Lupe Velez (1928), Constance Cummings (1931, who decamped to England), Frances Dee (1931), and Gloria Stuart (1932, whose career revived in the 1990s and she received a nomination as Best Supporting Actress for her role in Titanic).

Overview

WAMPAS Baby Stars of 1925.

The WAMPAS Baby Stars campaign began in 1922. Every year, publicists chose a group of young actresses who were under contract at major studios that they felt were on the threshold of stardom. Awardees were honored at a party called the "WAMPAS Frolic" and were given extensive media coverage. The awards were not given in 1930 and 1933 due to objections from independent film studios. When the campaign was revived in 1934, freelance actresses, along with studio contract players, were included as the chosen "Baby Stars".

The campaign was discarded in 1935, after which the Western Association of Motion Picture Advertisers disbanded. In 1956, a group of veteran stars, among them 1932 WAMPAS Baby Star Ginger Rogers, chose a group of young actresses supposed to be known as The Wampas Baby Stars. However, since the Western Association of Motion Picture Advertisers no longer existed, the idea fizzled. The selection took place nevertheless, and 15 "babies" were chosen: Phyllis Applegate, Roxanne Arlen, Jolene Brand, Donna Cooke, Barbara Huffman (later known as Barbara Eden), Jewell Lain, Barbara Marx, Lita Milan, Norma Nilsson, Ina Poindexter, Violet Rensin, Dawn Richard, and Delfin Thursday.

The last surviving original WAMPAS Baby Star, Mary Carlisle, died at the age of 104 on August 1, 2018.

List

Key
Denotes international star from outside the United States

1922

Actress Lifespan Birthplace Image Ref.
Marion Aye 1903–1951 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Streak of Yellow (1922) - 1.jpg
Helen Ferguson 1901–1977 Decatur, Illinois, U.S. Helenfergusonbain.jpg
Lila Lee 1905–1973 Union Hill, New Jersey, U.S. Lila Lee FFF.jpg
Jacqueline Logan 1904–1983 Corsicana, Texas, U.S. Jacqueline Logan - Dec 1922 Screenland.jpg
Louise Lorraine 1904–1981 San Francisco, California, U.S. Louise Lorraine - Sep 1922 UW.jpg
Bessie Love 1898–1986 Midland, Texas, U.S. Bessie Love - Aug 10 1918 EH.jpg
Kathryn McGuire 1903–1978 Peoria, Illinois, U.S. Kathryn McGuire CM929.jpg
Patsy Ruth Miller 1904–1995 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. PR Miller stars.jpg
Colleen Moore 1899–1988 Port Huron, Michigan, U.S. Colleen Moore - May 1920 MPN.jpg
Mary Philbin 1902–1993 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Mary Philbin stars1924.jpg
Pauline Starke 1901–1977 Joplin, Missouri, U.S. Pauline Starke Screen523.jpg
Lois Wilson 1894–1988 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. Lois Wilson - Oct 1920 EH.jpg
Claire Windsor 1892–1972 Marvin, Kansas, U.S. Clairewindsor.jpg

1923

Actress Lifespan Birthplace Image Ref.
Eleanor Boardman 1898–1991 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Eleanor Boardman Argentinean Magazine corp.jpg
Evelyn Brent 1895–1975 Tampa, Florida, U.S. Evelynbrent.jpg
Dorothy Devore 1899–1976 Fort Worth, Texas, U.S. Dorothy Devore Ellis.jpg
Virginia Brown Faire 1904–1980 Brooklyn, New York City, U.S. Virginia Brown Faire Who's Who on the Screen.jpg
Betty Francisco 1900–1950 Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S. Betty Francisco motion1024.jpg
Pauline Garon 1900–1965 Montreal, Quebec, Canada Pauline Garon The Man from Glengarry.jpg
Kathleen Key 1903–1954 Buffalo, New York, U.S. Kathleen Key Stars of the Photoplay.jpg
Laura La Plante 1904–1996 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. Laura La Plante ph230.jpg
Margaret Leahy 1902–1967 London, England, U.K. Margaret Leahy photop723.jpg
Helen Lynch 1900–1965 Billings, Montana, U.S. Helen Lynch Stars 1924.jpg
Derelys Perdue 1902–1989 Los Angeles, California, U.S. Derelys Perdue screenl423.jpg
Jobyna Ralston 1899–1967 South Pittsburg, Tennessee, U.S. Jobyna Ralston - Picture-Play, August 1928.jpg
Ethel Shannon 1898–1951 Denver, Colorado, U.S. Ethel Shannon by Witzel.jpg

1924

Actress Lifespan Birthplace Image Ref.
Clara Bow 1905–1965 Brooklyn, New York City, U.S. Clara Bow - Vermilion.jpg
Elinor Fair 1903–1957 Richmond, Virginia, U.S. Elinor Fair - Jul 1921 EH.jpg
Carmelita Geraghty 1901–1966 Rushville, Indiana, U.S. Carmelita Geraghty stars.jpg
Gloria Grey 1909–1947 Portland, Oregon, U.S. Gloria Grey by Blake Block.png
Ruth Hiatt 1906–1994 Cripple Creek, Colorado, U.S. Ruth Hiatt screen524.jpg
Julanne Johnston 1900–1988 Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. Julanne Johnston starsofp.jpg
Hazel Keener 1904–1979 Fairbury, Illinois, U.S. Hazel Keener WItzel.jpg
Dorothy Mackaill 1903–1990 Kingston upon Hull, England, U.K. Dorothy Mackaill stars1924.jpg
Blanche Mehaffey 1908–1968 Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. Mehaffey photop626.jpg
Margaret Morris 1898–1968 Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. Margaret Morris photop324.jpg
Marian Nixon 1904–1983 Superior, Wisconsin, U.S. Marian Nixon Photoplay829.jpg
Lucille Ricksen 1910–1925 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Lucille Ricksen pictureplay.jpg
Alberta Vaughn 1904–1992 Ashland, Kentucky, U.S. Alberta Vaughn photop126.jpg

1925

Actress Lifespan Birthplace Image Ref.
Betty Arlen 1909–1966 Providence, Kentucky, U.S. Betty Arlen photop325.jpg
Olive Borden 1906–1947 Richmond, Virginia, U.S. Olive Borden CM329.jpg
Anne Cornwall 1897–1980 Brooklyn, New York City, U.S. Anne Cornwall stars1913.jpg
Ena Gregory 1906–1993 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Ena Gregory Freulich.jpg
Madeline Hurlock 1899–1989 Federalsburg, Maryland, U.S. Madeline Hurlock W.jpg
Natalie Joyce 1902–1992 Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. Natalie Joyce photop325.jpg
Violet La Plante 1908–1984 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. Violet La Plante photop325.jpg
June Marlowe 1903–1984 St. Cloud, Minnesota, U.S. June Marlowe FFF.jpg
Joan Meredith 1907–1980 Hot Springs, Arkansas, U.S. Joan Meredith photop325.jpg
Evelyn Peirce 1908–1960 Del Rio, Texas, U.S. Evelyn Pierce picturep325.jpg
Dorothy Revier 1904–1993 Oakland, California, U.S. Dorothy Revier screenl630.jpg
Duane Thompson 1903–1970 Red Oak, Iowa, U.S. Duane Thompson Hartsook.jpg
Lola Todd 1904–1995 New York City, U.S. Lola Todd photop325.jpg

1926

Actress Lifespan Birthplace Image Ref.
Mary Astor 1906–1987 Quincy, Illinois, U.S. Mary Astor CM429.jpg
Mary Brian 1906–2002 Corsicana, Texas, U.S. Mary Brian RD1130.jpg
Joyce Compton 1907–1997 Lexington, Kentucky, U.S. Joyce Compton photop226.jpg
Dolores Costello 1903–1970 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. Delorescostello.jpg
Joan Crawford 1904–1977 San Antonio, Texas, U.S. Joancrawford3crop.jpg
Marceline Day 1908–2000 Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S. Marcelineday.jpg
Dolores del Río 1904–1983 Durango, Mexico Dolores del Rio - Publicity - 1932.jpg
Janet Gaynor 1906–1984 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Janet gaynor 1927.jpg
Sally Long 1901–1987 Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. Sally Long photop226.jpg
Edna Marion 1906–1957 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Edna Marion screen628.jpg
Sally O'Neil 1908–1968 Bayonne, New Jersey, U.S. Sally O'Neil CM36.jpg
Vera Reynolds 1899–1962 Richmond, Virginia, U.S. Vera Reynolds photop1229.jpg
Fay Wray 1907–2004 Cardston, Alberta, Canada Fay Wray NM430.jpg

1927

Actress Lifespan Birthplace Image Ref.
Patricia Avery 1902–1973 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. Patricia Avery Harriet Louise.jpg
Rita Carewe 1909–1955 New York City, U.S. Rita Carewe motion29.jpg
Helene Costello 1906–1957 New York City, U.S. Helene Costello 20s.jpg
Barbara Kent 1907–2011 Gadsby, Alberta, Canada Barbara Kent CM529.jpg
Natalie Kingston 1905–1991 Vallejo, California, U.S. Natalie Kingston (1905-1991).jpg
Frances Lee 1906–2000 Eagle Grove, Iowa, U.S. Frances Lee motion427.jpg
Mary McAllister 1909–1991 Los Angeles, California, U.S. Mary McAllister 2 - 14 Jul 1917 EH.jpg
Gladys McConnell 1905–1979 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S. Gladys McConnell CM629.jpg
Sally Phipps 1911–1978 Oakland, California, U.S. Sally Phipps screen528.jpg
Sally Rand 1904–1979 New York City, U.S. Sally Rand NYWTS.jpg
Martha Sleeper 1910–1983 Lake Bluff, Illinois, U.S. Martha Sleeper Screenland928.jpg
Iris Stuart 1903–1936 New York City, U.S. Iris Stuart photop327.jpg
Adamae Vaughn 1905–1943 Ashland, Kentucky, U.S. Adamae Vaughn photop327.jpg

1928

Actress Lifespan Birthplace Image Ref.
Lina Basquette 1907–1994 San Mateo, California, U.S. Basquette De Mirjian.jpg
Flora Bramley 1909–1993 London, England, U.K. Flora Bramley photop428.jpg
Sue Carol 1906–1982 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Sue Carol MS231.jpg
Ann Christy 1905–1987 Logansport, Indiana, U.S. Ann Christy photop428.jpg
June Collyer 1906–1968 New York City, U.S. June Collyer CM229.jpg
Alice Day 1905–1995 Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S. Alice Day Witzel.jpg
Sally Eilers 1908–1978 New York City, U.S. Sally Eilers Photoplay133.jpg
Audrey Ferris 1909–1990 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. Audrey Ferris motion728.jpg
Dorothy Gulliver 1908–1997 Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S. Gulliver Freulich.jpg
Gwen Lee 1904–1961 Hastings, Nebraska, U.S. Gwen Lee CM1128.jpg
Molly O'Day 1909–1998 Bayonne, New Jersey, U.S. Molly O'Day screen628.jpg
Ruth Taylor 1905–1984 Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S. Ruth Taylor phot728.jpg
Lupe Vélez 1908–1944 San Luis Potosí, Mexico Lupe Velez - Chrome Yellow.jpg

1929

Actress Lifespan Birthplace Image Ref.
Jean Arthur 1900–1991 Plattsburgh, New York, U.S. Jean Arthur - publicity.JPG
Sally Blane 1910–1997 Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S. Sally Blane Stars of the Photoplay.jpg
Betty Boyd 1908–1971 Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. Betty Boyd Hartsook 3.jpg
Ethlyne Clair 1904–1996 Talladega, Alabama, U.S. Ethlyne Clair Freulich 3a.jpg
Doris Dawson 1905–1986 Goldfield, Nevada, U.S. Doris Dawson CM329.jpg
Josephine Dunn 1906–1983 New York City, U.S. Josephine Dunn RHL.jpg
Helen Foster 1906–1982 Independence, Kansas, U.S. Helen Foster Freulich.jpg
Doris Hill 1905–1976 Roswell, New Mexico, U.S. Doris Hill photo529.jpg
Caryl Lincoln 1903–1983 Oakland, California, U.S. Caryl Lincoln photop529.jpg
Anita Page 1910–2008 Queens, New York City, U.S. Anita Page NM1229.jpg
Mona Rico 1907–1994 Mexico City, Mexico Mona Rico photop529.jpg
Helen Twelvetrees 1908–1958 Brooklyn, New York City, U.S. Helen Twelvetrees CM229.jpg
Loretta Young 1913–2000 Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S. Loretta Young CM229.jpg

1931

Actress Lifespan Birthplace Image Ref.
Joan Blondell 1906–1979 New York City, U.S. Joan Blondell - 1936.jpg
Constance Cummings 1910–2005 Seattle, Washington, U.S. Constance Cummings 1934.jpg
Frances Dade 1910–1968 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Frances Dade in Screenland.png
Frances Dee 1909–2004 Los Angeles, California, U.S. Frances Dee ph636.jpg
Sidney Fox 1907–1942 New York City, U.S. Sidney Fox publ.jpg
Rochelle Hudson 1916–1972 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S. Rochelle Hudson publ.jpg
Anita Louise 1915–1970 New York City, U.S. Anita Louise Freyer.jpg
Joan Marsh 1913–2000 Porterville, California, U.S. Joan Marsh MP831.jpg
Marian Marsh 1913–2006 Trinidad and Tobago Marian Marsh New Movie 1031.jpg
Karen Morley 1909–2003 Ottumwa, Iowa, U.S. Karen Morley 2.jpg
Marion Shilling 1910–2004 Denver, Colorado, U.S. Marion Shilling newmovie731.jpg
Barbara Weeks 1913–2003 Somerville, Massachusetts, U.S. Barbara weeks newmovie332.jpg
Judith Wood 1906–2002 New York City, U.S. Judith Wood newmovie232.jpg

1932

Actress Lifespan Birthplace Image Ref.
Lona Andre 1915–1992 Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. Lona Andre photoplay 234.jpg
Lilian Bond 1908–1991 London, England, U.K. Lilian Bond publ.30.jpg
Mary Carlisle 1914–2018 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. Mary Carlisle modern138.jpg
June Clyde 1909–1987 St. Joseph, Missouri, U.S. JuneClyde Scarlet.jpg
Patricia Ellis 1916–1970 Birmingham, Michigan, U.S. Patricia Ellis modern433.jpg
Ruth Hall 1910–2003 Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. Ruth Hall newmovie332.jpg
Eleanor Holm 1913–2004 Brooklyn, New York City, U.S. Eleanor Holm c. 1936.jpg
Evalyn Knapp 1906–1981 Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. Evalyn Knapp Photop432.jpg
Dorothy Layton 1912–2009 Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. Dorothy Layton newmovie1132.jpg
Boots Mallory 1913–1958 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. Boots Mallory - 1930s.jpg
Toshia Mori 1912–1995 Kyoto, Japan Toshia Mori newmovie734.jpg
Ginger Rogers 1911–1995 Independence, Missouri, U.S. Ginger Rogers Portrait.jpg
Marian Shockley 1911–1981 Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. Marian Shockley Photoplay33.jpg
Gloria Stuart 1910–2010 Santa Monica, California, U.S. Gloria Stuart Photoplay 1932.png
Dorothy Wilson 1909–1998 Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. Dorothy Wilson Silverscreen934.jpg

1934

Actress Lifespan Birthplace Image Ref.
Judith Arlen 1914–1968 Hollywood, Los Angeles, U.S. Judith Arlen.png
Betty Bryson 1911–1984 Los Angeles, California, U.S. Betty Bryson in Screenland.png
Jean Carmen 1913–1993 Portland, Oregon, U.S. Jean Carmen, 1933 portrait.png
Helen Cohan 1910–1996 New York City, U.S. Helen Cohan.png
Dorothy Drake 1916–2005 Santa Monica, California, U.S. Dorothy Drake.png
Jean Gale 1912–1974 San Francisco, California, U.S. Jean Gale Argentinean Magazine AD.jpg
Hazel Hayes 1910–1974 La Crosse, Kansas, U.S. Hazel Hayes Modern Screen crop.png
Ann Hovey 1911–2007 Mount Vernon, Indiana, U.S. Ann Hovey.png
Neoma Judge 1908–1978 Mitchell, South Dakota, U.S. Neoma Judge.png
Lucille Lund 1913–2002 Buckley, Washington, U.S. Lucille Lund in Hollywood magazine.png
Lu Ann Meredith 1913–1998 Dallas, Texas, U.S. Lu Ann Meredith in Hollywood magazine.png
Gigi Parrish 1912–2006 Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S. Gigi Parrish.png
Jacqueline Wells 1914–2001 Denver, Colorado, U.S. Jacqueline Wells (aka Julie Bishop).png
Katherine Williams 1908–1982 Seattle, Washington, U.S. Katherine Williams, actress.png
WAMPAS Baby Stars 1934

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