Appeared in several films with her ex-husband, Russell Hayden before they were married. They included In Old Mexico (1938) and Sunset Trail (1939).
Best known for her role as Tommy Rettig's mother, Ellen Miller, in the early installments of the popular TV series "Lassie" (1954-57).
Created the lead role of Julie Jordan in the original Broadway production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Carousel," opposite John Raitt's Billy Bigelow, in 1945.
Drove a Rolls Royce in her later years with the personalized license plates that read "Jan Who".
Educated at Tularosa High School, New Mexico. Graduated in 1935, then studied music and drama at Gulf Park College for Women in Gulfport, Mississippi.
She got to christen a Goodyear blimp, the "Volunteer VI", because of her role in "This Man's Navy", a movie about Navy blimps.
She had a daughter, Sandra Jane, with Russell Hayden, that had died when she was sixteen.
Volunteered at the Alcoholism Council of Greater Los Angeles as a receptionist in the late 1970s.
Was spokesperson for the "Schick" stop smoking/weight loss program in the 1970s.