Dorothy Dell

About Dorothy Dell

Born Dorothy Dell Goff on January 20, 1915, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Dorothy Dell was once celebrated as the town's most beautiful infant. Her family relocated to New Orleans in 1925. It was there she forged a deep friendship with Dorothy Lamour, and the two shared aspirations of Hollywood stardom.

As a teenager, Dorothy began her ascent through the ranks of beauty competitions. Her triumph at the Miss New Orleans pageant led to her being crowned Miss Universe in 1930. This success propelled her into the world of vaudeville, where her talent caught the eye of Florenz Ziegfeld. He invited her to join his renowned Ziegfeld Follies, where her captivating singing voice and striking physique quickly made her a notable performer.

A serious car accident in 1931 left her hospitalized for two months, temporarily halting her burgeoning career. During this period, her romantic involvement with singer Russ Columbo ended. Despite this setback, Dorothy made her film debut in the 1932 short Passing The Buck. Her striking blonde looks and promising talent secured her a contract with Paramount Studios in October 1933.

Her first major role was a supporting part in the drama Wharf Angel, a performance that garnered significant critical acclaim and predictions of a bright future. She went on to share the screen with Shirley Temple in Little Miss Marker and Lew Cody in Shoot The Works. She also had a brief romantic connection with boxer Jack Dempsey. By the spring of 1934, plans were announced for her to star in the film Now and Forever.

Dorothy's career was flourishing, and she had found personal happiness, becoming engaged to Nat Carson, a caricaturist, and beginning to plan their wedding. However, on June 8, 1934, while attending a party in Altadena with Dr. Carl Wagner, their drive home took a tragic turn. At 1:00 AM, their vehicle collided with a telephone pole, resulting in a fatal accident. Dorothy, who was only nineteen years old, perished instantly. Dr. Wagner, the driver, died several hours later from his injuries. Her resting place is Metairie Cemetery in New Orleans, Louisiana. The lead role in Now And Forever was ultimately filled by Carole Lombard.