User:Teblick/Fern Parsons

Fern Parsons (born Fern Gwendolyn Ball, July 27, 1910 - July 22, 2012) was an American actress on radio and stage and in films whose career spanned eight decades.

Early years
Parsons was born in Chicago and moved with her family to Kalamazoo, Michigan, as a child. In 1933, she graduated from Kalamazoo College with a bachelor's degree in drama. Later, she earned a bachelor's degree in fine arts in acting from the Carnegie Institute of Technology.

Career
Persons' early work in old-time radio included The Baxters, Bud Barton, and Cavalcade of America.

Her appearances on stage included acting in Minneapolis and Chicago. In 1981 and 1982, she was nominated for Joseph Jefferson Awards as best actress in Chicago theater.

Persons' film credits included Hoosiers, Field of Dreams, and Risky Business.

She was active in the American Federation of Radio Artists (later the American Federation of Radio and Television Artists) and the Screen Actors Guild. She served on AFTRA's Chicago Local Board for more than three decades and received AFTRA's Founders Award in 2006. She served for 44 years on SAG's Chicago Branch Council and on the organization's national board from 1976 to 1998 and received the organization's Howard Keel Award in 2009.

Personal life
In 1935, she wed Max Persons, whom she had met in college. Their marriage ended with his death in 1971.

Death
On July 22, 2012, Parsons died of natural causes in Littleton, Colorado, at age 101.