Donna Reed, born Donna Belle Mullenger on January 27, 1921, in Denison, Iowa, was an American actress whose career spanned over four decades. She was raised on a farm and was the eldest of five children. Her beauty and charm led her to win a beauty contest in her hometown, and she later moved to Los Angeles to pursue her dreams of acting.

She attended Los Angeles City College, where she was named Campus Queen, and her photographs caught the attention of MGM talent scouts. She made her film debut in "The Get-Away" (1941) and soon signed with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, changing her name from Donna Adams to Donna Reed due to anti-German sentiment during World War II.

Her breakthrough role came in "It's a Wonderful Life" (1946), where she played Mary Hatch Bailey, the sweet and steady wife of James Stewart's character. This role brought her lasting admiration and established her as a Hollywood leading lady.

She continued to star in films such as "From Here to Eternity" (1953), for which she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, and "The Picture of Dorian Gray" (1945). Reed's wholesome, girl-next-door image made her a beloved figure in Hollywood.

Donna Reed was also known for her work in television. She starred as Donna Stone, a middle-class American mother and housewife, in the sitcom "The Donna Reed Show" (1958-1966).

This role earned her numerous Emmy Award nominations and the Golden Globe Award for Best TV Star in 1963. Later in her career, she replaced Barbara Bel Geddes as Miss Ellie Ewing Farlow in the television drama "Dallas" (1984-1985).

Her personal life included three marriages: first to William J. Tuttle (1943-1945), then to Tony Owen (1945-1971), with whom she had four children, and finally to Grover Asmus (1974 until her death). She passed away on January 14, 1986, in Beverly Hills, California, from pancreatic cancer.