June Havoc Biography
June Havoc, born Ellen Evangeline Hovick on November 8, 1912, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, was a multifaceted talent in the entertainment industry. She gained recognition as an actress, dancer, writer, and theater director.
Her early life was marked by a rigorous vaudeville career, managed by her mother, Rose Thompson Hovick.
This upbringing was later immortalized in the musical “Gypsy,” which chronicled the lives of June and her sister, Gypsy Rose Lee.
Early Life and Family Background
June’s parents, Rose Thompson Hovick and John Olaf Hovick, had diverse cultural backgrounds.
Rose was of German descent, while John, a reporter for the Seattle Times, was the son of Norwegian immigrants.
June’s sister, Rose Louise Hovick, known professionally as Gypsy Rose Lee, was born on January 9, 1914, in Seattle, Washington.
From a young age, June was thrust into the world of entertainment. Her mother, determined to see her daughters succeed in show business, managed their careers with an iron will. June began performing as “Baby June,” showcasing her talents in vaudeville acts across the country.
To circumvent child labor laws, Rose often falsified her daughters’ ages, leading to confusion about June’s actual birth year.
While 1916 was frequently cited, June later acknowledged that 1912 was likely correct, though she remained uncertain.
Education
Due to her demanding performance schedule, June’s formal education was sporadic. The constant travel and rigorous rehearsals left little time for traditional schooling.
Instead, she received much of her education on the road, learning from tutors when possible and gaining practical knowledge through her experiences in the entertainment industry.
Career and Achievements
June’s career spanned several decades and encompassed various facets of the entertainment world.
She transitioned from vaudeville to Broadway and Hollywood, showcasing her versatility as a performer.
In the 1940s, she appeared in films such as “Gentleman’s Agreement” (1947) and “The Iron Curtain” (1948), earning critical acclaim for her performances.
Her stage work was equally impressive, with notable roles in productions like “Pal Joey” and “Mexican Hayride,” for which she received the Donaldson Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical Comedy during the 1943–1944 Broadway season.
In 1964, June showcased her talents as a playwright and director with “Marathon ’33,” a play based on her experiences during the marathon dance craze of the 1930s.
The production earned her a Tony Award nomination for Best Direction of a Play, highlighting her multifaceted contributions to theater.
Personal Life and Relationships
June’s personal life was as eventful as her career. She was married three times. Her first marriage, at age 16, was in December 1928 to Bobby Reed, a boy in her vaudeville act. Her second marriage was to Donald S. Gibbs in 1936; they divorced in December 1942.
Her third marriage, to radio and television director and producer William Spier, lasted from January 25, 1948, until his death in 1973.
June had one daughter, April Rose Hyde, born on April 2, 1932. April became an actress known as April Kent in the 1950s, appearing in films such as “The Incredible Shrinking Man” and “Tammy and the Bachelor.”
Tragically, April predeceased her mother, passing away on December 28, 1998, at the age of 66.
Controversies and Challenges
June’s life was not without controversy. Her relationship with her mother, Rose, was complex and often strained.
Rose’s relentless ambition for her daughters led to a tumultuous family dynamic, marked by manipulation and control.
This fraught relationship was later depicted in the musical “Gypsy,” which, while bringing June’s story to a wider audience, also reopened old wounds and led to public scrutiny of their family life.
In 1947, June became involved in the Committee for the First Amendment, a group of Hollywood professionals who protested the House Un-American Activities Committee’s investigation into alleged communist influences in the film industry.
Her participation in this politically charged movement placed her under the spotlight during a contentious period in American history.
Later Years and Legacy
In her later years, June remained active in the arts and dedicated herself to various humanitarian efforts.
In 1967, she founded Youthbridge, a program that provided theatrical training to adolescents, primarily African American youths, at the Bridgeport, Connecticut YWCA.
She served as the executive and artistic director, demonstrating her commitment to nurturing the next generation of performers.
June also had a passion for animal welfare. She transformed her property in Wilton, Connecticut, into Cannon Crossing, a haven for rescued animals and a cultural hub featuring artisan shops and galleries.
Her dedication to animal rights and community development left a lasting impact on those who knew her.
Cause of Death and Net Worth
June Havoc passed away at her home in Stamford, Connecticut, on March 28, 2010, from natural causes. She was believed to be 97 years old at the time of her death. While exact figures regarding her net worth are not publicly available