From living a poor childhood to becoming one of the highest-paid actresses in the US and a popular pin-up girl, Lana Turner is a true legend! She faced many struggles in her life and turned it upside down, establishing herself as a Hollywood icon.
Lana was a queen of expressions and beauty, and that showed in each and every role she’d ever played!
IN A GIST
- Iconic actress Lana Turner stood at the height of 5 feet 3 inches or 160 cm.
- Turner had a perfect voluptuous figure with a weight of around 50 kg or 110 pounds.
- Turner was in her 70s when she died of cancer in 1995. Read on to learn some exciting details about Lana’s career, measurements, family, and more.
When and How Did Lana Turner Pass Away?
American actress Julia Jean Turner, popularly known as Lana Turner, passed at 74 on June 29, 1995, at her Los Angeles home. The actress had throat cancer in 1992 due to excessive smoking, which reached her lungs and jaws.
Although she was treated to be cancer-free in 1993, it was back the next year, and this time Lana couldn’t fight it and lost the battle.
Lana Turner’s Educational Background
After converting to a Roman Catholic, Turner attended the Convent of the Immaculate Conception while living in California.
Later, when she had to move to Los Angeles due to her mother’s poor health, she went to Hollywood High School. It was during this time she was spotted by the founder of The Hollywood Reporter, William R. Wilkerson.
Lana graduated high school while working in MGM films in 1938.
Lana Turner’s Loving Family
Lana Turner had mixed roots from both her parents. Her father, John Virgil Turner, was Dutch, and her mother, Mildred Frances Cowan, had English, Scottish and Irish roots.
Lana’s parents parted ways when she was six, and her father was found dead soon after the family moved to San Francisco. After this, Lana lived away from home with her family and friends to not burden her mother.
And when her mother got caught in bad health, the young actress ended up in Los Angeles. And that’s where her legendary journey began!
Lana’s married life had been nothing short of a roller coaster ride, as she had married seven times. And out of all her failed marriages, she only had a daughter, Cheryl Crane, with her second ex-husband, Joseph Stephen Crane.
Lana Turner’s Career Overview
Lana Turner was into performing, especially dancing, from a young age. So when she was discovered by William R. Wilkerson, she got a lifetime opportunity to make something out of her interest!
Lana got her first contract with Warner Bros through film director Mervyn LeRoy, who was the one to get the actress to change her name to Lana Turner. In 1937, she debuted with a feature film, They Won’t Forget.
Turner soon joined MGM and appeared in her first MGM film, Love Finds Andy Hardy, alongside icons like Judy Garland. In the coming years, Lana worked in many films portraying her as a hot teen girl.
The 1940s brought Lana many influential films like Ziegfeld Girl, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and Postman Always Rings Twice. She got to share the set with Clark Gable multiple times.
It was in the 1950s when Lana proved herself as a serious dramatic actress with her performance in films like Peyton Place, which bagged her an Oscar nomination.
In 1958, Lana was in the news because of her daughter’s connection with the Johnny Stompanato case. But that didn’t stop her. Soon after this incident, Turner appeared in some of her most successful films, like Imitation of Life and Portrait in Black.
She also ventured into the television world and theater during her later career. Her last film appearance was in Witches’ Brew in 1980.
Lana was last seen publicly at the 1994 San Sebastián International Film Festival in Spain when she was honored with her Lifetime Achievement Award.
- Full Born Name: Julia Jean Turner
- Nickname: Judy, Lana
- Occupation: Actress
- Religion: Roman Catholic
- Date of Birth: February 8, 1921
- Birthplace: Wallace, Idaho, US
- Education: Convent of the Immaculate Conception, Hollywood High School
- Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
- Father Name: John Virgil Turner
- Mother Name: Mildred Frances Cowan
- Spouse: Artie Shaw (1940-40); Joseph Stephen Crane (1942-44); Bob Topping (1948-52); Lex Barker (1953-57); Fred May (1960-62); Robert Eaton (1965-69); Ronald Pellar (1969-72)
- Children: Cheryl Crane
Lana Turner’s Height and Weight
Actress Lana Turner had an average height of 5 feet 3 inches or 160 cm (1.6 m), and she maintained her perfect physique at a weight of about 50 kg or 110 pounds.
Looking at her curvaceous figure, it’s no surprise that Lana was one of the most popular pin-up girls of her time!
Lana Turner’s Body Measurements and Physical Traits
Lana Turner had owned an attractive, sensual figure forever, and it was her physique that got her the opportunity to star in films! Her striking body measurements were 37-24-36 inches or 94-61-92 cm, and she appeared to flaunt her curves in a bra size 34D with a cup size D.
But, the lady wasn’t just about being voluptuous; Turner was charismatic in all senses! She had beautiful and unique greenish-gray eyes that added to her expressive heart-shaped face.
And Turner’s hairstyle was totally iconic! She had dark auburn hair, but n 1941, she displayed herself in platinum blonde for the first time in the film Ziegfeld Girl. And this became her signature hair color!
| Height | 5 feet 3 inches or 160 cm (1.6 m) |
| Weight | 50 kg or 110 pounds |
| Face Shape | Heart |
| Bra Size | 34D |
| Cup Size | D |
| Figure | Hourglass |
| Body Measurements | 37-24-36 inches or 94-61-92 cm |
| Shoe Size | 7 (US) or 37 (EU) or 5 (UK) |
| Eyes Color | Green-gray |
| Hair Color | Platinum Blonde |
Lana Turner’s Net Worth
Iconic actress Lana was full of talent and elegance. And it showed in her great career, encompassing everything from films to television to radio to stage!
The Peyton Place actress was unarguably one of MGM’s best actresses and one of the highest-paid actresses of her time. She had built a net worth of over $5 million when she died!
Exciting Facts about Lana Turner’s Life
Lana Turner released her autobiography, Lana: The Lady, the Legend, the Truth, in 1982. She stated in the memoir that she’s actually one year younger than the records.
Turner gave birth to three stillborns and underwent abortions during her seven marriages.
Singing sensation Madonna mentions Lana Turner in her popular song Vogue.
What face shape does Lana Turner have?
Legendary actress Lana Turner had a gorgeous heart-shaped face, which always looked perfect with her unique hairstyles.
What is Lana Turner’s hair color?
Lana Turner originally had auburn hair. But she dyed her hair platinum blonde for the film Ziegfeld Girl in 1941 and sported the same signature hair color afterward.
Did Lana Turner have purple eyes?
No, Lana Turner had captivating greenish-gray eyes, which acted in their language when Lana stood in front of the camera.
What color eyes does Lana Turner have?
Lana Turner’s eyes were a unique green-gray color.
Did Lana Turner have tattoos?
Turner never had any visible tattoos and flaunted her naturally gorgeous skin!
Did Lana Turner win Oscar?
Actress Lana Turner was nominated for an Academy Award for best actress for her performance in the 1958 film Peyton Place, but she didn’t win it.
Did Lana Turner sing in The Sea Chase?
Yes, Lana Turner sang a German song called Steh’ Ich in Finstrer Mitternacht, in the film The Sea Chase. The song had English lyrics for the film.
Did Lana Turner go to college?
Lana Turner got a chance to work in film when she was still at Hollywood High School. So she didn’t attend college.
Iconic actresses like Lana Turner were a blessing to Hollywood! The woman rose from the dust and made an empire for herself! Jane Russell is another legendary actress whose life and career are nothing short of an inspiration and legacy to follow!
