Despite her film resume, Laura Hope Crews considered herself a theatrical actress, appearing on Broadway from 1903 in over 40 major productions, literally until the day she died. She was cast in the smash hit "Arsenic and Old Lace" at the Fulton Theatre in the role of "Abby Brewster" in June, 1942. After her death that November 13th she was replaced by Patricia Collinge.
Her father, a carpenter, was also a member of the California Stock Company. Laura appeared on stage between the age of four and seven, then took time out for schooling, and returned playing ingenue roles from the age of 19. She was a leading lady in New York in the early 1900s, then gradually drifted to playing eccentric character parts. Best as Mrs. Phelps in both stage and screen versions of 'The Silver Chord'.
Her final film was an uncredited performance in The Man Who Came to Dinner (1942).
Interred at Cypress Lawn Cemetery, Colma, California, USA.
Perhaps best remembered as Aunt Pittypat in Gone with the Wind (1939).
Portrayed by Audra Lindley in The Silent Lovers (1980) (TV).