Golden Age Actress Joanne Gilbert Dies at 92

Joanne Gilbert, an actress and singer who appeared in several notable films during the 1950s and 1960s, died on April 16, 2025, in Los Angeles. She was 92 years old. Gilbert was best known for her roles in Red Garters and The Great Man and for her background in both film and music.

Born in 1932 in Chicago, Illinois, Joanne was the daughter of Ray Gilbert, an Oscar-winning lyricist best known for the classic song “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah.” Growing up in a creative household, she was introduced to music and entertainment from a young age and soon pursued a career in performance.

Gilbert began acting in the early 1950s and quickly gained attention for her beauty, stage presence, and vocal ability. She made her film debut in Red Garters (1954), a musical western that starred Rosemary Clooney. Though the film had a light tone, Gilbert’s performance stood out, earning her additional opportunities in both film and television.

One of her most notable dramatic roles came in The Great Man (1956), where she played a supporting character in a story about media manipulation and the legacy of a controversial public figure. The film was praised for its storytelling, and Gilbert’s work received positive reviews from critics.

During her career, she appeared in a range of genres—from musicals to dramas to comedies. She also worked on television, guest-starring in shows throughout the 1950s and 1960s. While she never reached household-name status, she maintained steady work and was respected within the Hollywood community for her professionalism and poise.

Gilbert also pursued singing and performed in nightclubs during the height of her career. She was known for her smooth voice and emotional delivery, which echoed the musical influence of her father. Though she recorded a small number of songs, she never released a full album, choosing instead to focus on live performances and acting.

Later in life, Gilbert stepped away from the spotlight. She lived quietly in Los Angeles and occasionally appeared at classic film events and retrospectives. Friends described her as gracious, intelligent, and deeply proud of her family’s artistic legacy.

She was known to speak fondly of her father and the role he played in shaping her creative path. “My father taught me to love words and melody,” she once said. “That love carried me through everything I did in life.”

Tributes following her death have come from fans of classic Hollywood and film historians, many of whom called her an underrated gem of her era. “Joanne Gilbert represented a time in Hollywood when talent, charm, and hard work defined a performer’s career,” one fan posted. “She deserves to be remembered.”

Joanne Gilbert is survived by extended family members and close friends. Her family has asked for privacy and has not yet announced any public memorial service.

Her legacy endures in the films and performances that captured the spirit of mid-20th-century Hollywood