The possessor of one of Hollywood's gentlest faces and warmest voices, and about as sweet as Tupelo honey both on-and-off camera, character actress Spring Byington was seldom called upon to play callous or unsympathetic . A very private individual in real life, Spring enjoyed traveling and reading during her retirement years. She passed away in 1971 from cancer and was survived by her two daughters, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Following her death in 1971, her body was donated for medical research.
She performed in reference footage for Walt Disney s Sleeping Beauty .
Spring and Lionel Barrymore were initially cast as Ma and Pa Hardy in the Andy Hardy film series starring Mickey Rooney. However, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer decided to replace the couple with Fay Holden and Lewis Stone before the series started.
In August 1955, she began flying lessons in Glendale, California; but the studio made her stop because of insurance problems.
Acquired a small coffee plantation in South America in her later years.
Gave birth to her 1st child, a daughter Phyllis Chandler, with her husband Roy Carey Chandler (1916).
Gave birth to her 2nd child, a daughter Lois Chandler, with her husband Roy Carey Chandler.
She was awarded 2 Stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Motion Picture at 6507 Hollywood Boulevard; and for Television at 6231 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
Met Harry Morgan on the set of the period drama Dragonwyck . Eight years later, he would co-star opposite Byington on "December Bride" .
She and Lionel Barrymore played wife and husband in Ah Wilderness! (1935) . Three years later, they played daughter and father in You Cant Take It with You .
Biography in "Actresses of a Certain Character: Forty Familiar Hollywood Faces from the Thirties to the Fifties" by Axel Nissen.
Acting mentor and friends with Harry Morgan.
Longtime companions with actress Marjorie Main.
Became a grandmother for the 1st time at age 55 when her daughter Lois gave birth to a son, James Alexander Graham on October 30, 1941.
She was a lifelong science fiction fan, and appeared in print ads for The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction at the height of her TV popularity.
Daughter of Edwin Lee (1852-1891) and Helene Maud (ne Cleghorn) Byington (1862-1907).
Became a grandmother for the 2nd time at age 62 when her daughter Phyllis gave birth to a daughter, Christine Helene Baxley, on May 6, 1949.
TV keeps me young because it keeps me busy, keeps my mind alert, my,senses sharp and my interests up.
