Jane Webb
American film, radio, voice actress (1925-2010)
Jane Webb
Born
Jane Karyl Webb

(1925-08-13)August 13, 1925
DiedMarch 30, 2010(2010-03-30) (aged 84)
Green Valley, Arizona, U.S.
Other namesJane Webb Edwards
Joanne Louise
EducationSt. Mary's High School
Occupations
  • Actress
  • entertainer
Years active1933–1982
Known forThe Batman/Superman Hour
Spouse
Jack Edwards Jr.
​
​
(m. 1948; died 2008)​
Children2

Jane Karyl Webb[1] (August 13, 1925 – March 30, 2010) was an American film, radio, and voice actress, best known for her work on Filmation's cartoons.

Early years

Webb's mother was Estelle Sigrid Webb, a Swedish immigrant who was an operatic soprano and performed at the Metropolitan Opera and Boston Opera House.[2][3][4] She also opened a municipal opera in St. Louis.[4] Her father James Howard Webb, known as Dr. Basil Webb, is a playwright who wrote and directed plays at the Hippodrome Theater in Chicago.[1][4] Webb's brother John Webb performed in London and New York; her uncle Maurice Webb was University of London's president.[4][clarification needed] She is a descendant of Walter Webb, who used to accompany George Washington on his surveying trips.[5][6]

Raised in University City, Missouri, Webb studied at St. Mary's High School and Arcadia Convents at St. Louis.[4] She spent three years working with repertoire companies in London, Manchester, Scotland, and Wales.[4] Webb transferred from England to Chicago in 1936.[4] As a high school student in Central YMCA High School, she was president of the student council and headed other student organizations.[5] On June 10, 1942, Webb graduated with the highest honors.[7][8] From early August 1942 through 1943, Webb took flying lessons.[9][10] Webb attended Central Day College.[1][where?]

Career

At the age of eight, she started her career as a professional entertainer when she was mistress of ceremonies, singing a Swedish song in a Chicago Century of Progress show.[5] As a radio actress, Webb debuted in British radio shows made by British Broadcasting Company's television studios.[4]

Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Edwards acted on multiple radio series, including the Tom Mix Ralston Straight Shooters.[11]

In March 1939, Paramount Pictures' talent agent Arthur Jacobson discovered Webb while searching for new actresses in Chicago.[4] On April 19, 1939, Webb signed an acting contract with Paramount Pictures.[3] Webb was supposedly going to be cast as the leading role in Dr. Cyclops as her acting debut, but was recast.[4]

Personal life

In her private life, Webb collected spools, rode miniature horses, kept canaries, read "everything", and made her own recipes.[8][12] She had also written her own poetry, short stories, musical compositions, and a novel.[8][13]

In 1947, Webb moved from Chicago to the neighborhood of Hollywood Hills in California, along with her family.[2] In 1948, Webb married Jack Lawson Edwards, Jr, brother of actor and cartoon voiceover performer Sam Edwards, at her parents' home.[1][14] The couple moved to New York City to continue their careers in television until they moved back to Hollywood Hills.[15] In 1960, the couple moved to the neighborhood of Studio City.[2]

The couple had two sons, Alan James Edwards (b. April 23, 1951), a U.S. Navy member,[2][15][16] and Steven Monroe, a lead guitarist and vocalist.[2][15]

Death

On March 30, 2010, Webb died in Green Valley, Arizona.[citation needed]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role(s)
1939 Our Leading Citizen Telephone operator (uncredited)
$1,000 a Touchdown Billie (uncredited)
1940 The Farmer's Daughter Cashier (uncredited)
1972 Treasure Island Mrs. Hawkins (voice)
1974 Oliver Twist Nancy (speaking voice)
Radio
Year Title Role(s)
1936–1946 Tom Mix Ralston Straight Shooters [11][17][18]
1937–1945 Grand Hotel
1939–1942 The Bartons Midge[19]
1940–1954 The Chicago Theater of the Air Guest star
1941 Lone Journey Jean[20]
1942–1946 Bachelor's Children Doris Keller (a.k.a. Dorothy Keeler)[5][21]
1942–1951 Aunt Mary Show Peggy Mead[22]
1943–1947 The Baxters Daughter
1943, 1951[10] Guiding Light Peggy Ashley Regan
1943–1944 The Road to Life Debutante,[23] Janet Mercer[24]
1944 That Brewster Boy Minerva[5]
Sky High Guest role[25]
1945–1946 Island Venture Medoza's daughter
1945–1948 Those Websters Belinda Boyd
1948 The People Next Door Charlotte[26]
1949 Richard Diamond, Private Detective One episode ("The John Blackwell Case")
1950 The Truitts Gladys Truitt[27]
Errand of Mercy Joan ("The Train Whistle")[28]
1950–1951 Dr. Kildare Mary Lamont[29]
Crime Classics Guest role
Heartbeat Theater Guest role
Inheritance Guest role
Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar Guest role
Let George Do It Guest role
Lux Radio Theatre Guest role
Suspense Guest role
The Chase Guest role
1951 The Adventures of Archie Andrews Veronica Lodge[30]
1979 Suspense Story Jessica Thomas
Television
Year Title Role(s)
1967 Journey to the Center of the Earth Cindy Lindenbrook, Queen Mortia, Fossil
1968 The Batman/Superman Hour Barbara Gordon/Batgirl, Catwoman, Charlotte Ruuse
Fantastic Voyage Dr. Erica Lane, Alvin Upwell, Lisette Clossard
The Archie Show Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge, Miss Grundy, Big Ethel, additional voices
Family Affair Live-action role; television announcer ("A Matter of Choice")
1969 Archie and His New Pals Preview special for The Archie Comedy Hour; Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge, Miss Grundy, Sabrina Spellman
The Archie Comedy Hour Sabrina Spellman, Aunt Hilda, Aunt Zelda, Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge, Miss Grundy, Big Ethel, Miss Della
The Hardy Boys Wanda Kay Breckenridge, Gertrude Hardy
1970 Will the Real Jerry Lewis Please Sit Down Geraldine Lewis, Rhonda
Archie's Funhouse Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge, Miss Grundy, Big Ethel
Sabrina and the Groovie Goolies Sabrina Spellman, Aunt Hilda, Aunt Zelda, Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge, Miss Grundy, Big Ethel, Miss Della, additional voices
Groovie Goolies Bella La Ghostly, Sabrina Spellman, additional voices
1971 Archie's TV Funnies Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge, Miss Grundy, Big Ethel, Tess Trueheart, Moon Maid, Gravel Gertie, Mama, Emmy Lou, Taffy, Nancy Ritz, Fritzi Ritz, Cookie, Hazel Nutt, Broom-Hilda, Breathless Mahoney, additional voices
Aesop's Fables Female Tortoise, Bee, Female Swan, Mother Duck, Duckling, Female Hare #1, Female Hare #2
1972 The ABC Saturday Superstar Movie
The Brady Kids Babs, Diana Prince/Wonder Woman ("It's All Greek to Me"), additional voices
1973 Lassie's Rescue Rangers Laura Turner, additional voices
My Favorite Martians Katy O'Hara, Jan, Coral, Lorelei Brown, Miss Casserole
1974 The U.S. of Archie Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge, Miss Grundy, additional voices
The New Adventures of Gilligan Ginger Grant, Mary Ann Summers (credited as both "Jane Webb" and "Jane Edwards"[31])
1975 The Secret Lives of Waldo Kitty Felicia, Pronto, Sparrow
1976–1979 Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle Additional voices
1977 The New Archie and Sabrina Hour Sabrina Spellman, Aunt Hilda, Aunt Zelda, Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge, Miss Grundy, Big Ethel, Miss Della, additional voices
1980 General Hospital Live-action role; announcer (one episode)
Shorts
Year Title Role(s)
1967 The Three Faces of Stanley Unknown name (voice)
1969 How We Feel About Sound Clancy's Mom (voice)
1971 Hopscotch Unknown name (voice)
1977 He Really Lives Unknown name (voice)

Discography

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Weddings". Daily News. August 17, 1948. p. 18. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Funeral Services Set for Mrs. Sigrid Webb". Van Nuys Valley News And Green Sheet. p. 5. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Jane Webb Signed". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Associated Press. April 20, 1939. p. 15. Retrieved June 7, 2018 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Add New Faces". Evening Star. April 24, 1939. pp. B16. Retrieved September 28, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b c d e "The cover girl" (PDF). Radio Mirror. 21 (3): 48. January 1944. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
  6. ^ "Jane Webb". Chicago Tribune. February 18, 1945. p. 114. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  7. ^ "A Graduate". Chicago Tribune. June 10, 1942. p. 22. Retrieved 2016-06-26.
  8. ^ a b c "Radio Roundup". The Morning Call. June 10, 1942. p. 6. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  9. ^ "Tongue Twisters Keep Announcer in Trim". The Buffalo News. August 15, 1942. p. 6. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  10. ^ a b "Complete Radio Programs and Highlights for Today". Chicago Tribune. July 8, 1943. p. 23. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  11. ^ a b "In Tom Mix Cast". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Missouri, St. Louis. December 6, 1936. p. 27. Retrieved June 7, 2018 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  12. ^ "Jane Webb Shares Recipe". The Van Nuys News. August 10, 1943. p. 4. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  13. ^ "Jane Webb". Burlington Daily News. March 12, 1943. p. 5. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  14. ^ "580". The Fresno Bee. August 11, 1948. p. 21. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  15. ^ a b c "Their Friendship Has Lasted". Van Nuys Valley News. September 28, 1972. p. 100. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  16. ^ "Radio-TV Briefs". Los Angeles Evening Citizen News. April 30, 1951. p. 20. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  17. ^ "[Unknown]". Poughkeepsie Evening Star. January 13, 1941.
  18. ^ "Radio in Chicago". Chicago Tribune. May 12, 1946. p. 8. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  19. ^ "Meet Miss Midge". The Evening News. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. April 4, 1942. p. 10. Retrieved 2016-06-25 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  20. ^ "Our Town". Chicago Tribune. Chicago. November 3, 1941. p. Part 3, Page 1. Retrieved 2016-06-26.
  21. ^ Buffalo Courier Express, January 29, 1943
  22. ^ May Caldwell, Lily (October 10, 1951). "Listeners yell, so popular daytime show back on air". The Birmingham News. p. 22. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  23. ^ "[Unknown]". Buffalo Courier Express. April 27, 1943.
  24. ^ "Road of Life". Star Tribune. March 7, 1944. p. 18. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  25. ^ "What's on the Air". Wisconsin State Journal. September 15, 1944. p. 15. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  26. ^ Chatfield, Blake (January 29, 1948). "Valley Radio Flashes - Serious". Van Nuys News. p. 19. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  27. ^ "[Unknown]". Buffalo Courier Express. June 11, 1950.
  28. ^ "Jane Webb Stars in Radio Program". The Daily News. November 16, 1950. p. 5. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  29. ^ Dunning, John (1998). "Dr. Kildare". On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio. USA: Oxford University Press. pp. 205–206. ISBN 9780195076783. Retrieved 2019-10-01.
  30. ^ Newton, Dwight (December 18, 1951). "Day and Night with Radio and Television". The San Francisco Examiner. p. 18. Retrieved September 29, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ^ Scheimer, Lou; Mangels, Andy (2012). Lou Scheimer: Creating the Filmation Generation. TwoMorrows Publishing. pp. 108–109. ISBN 9781605490441. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  32. ^ "The Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland (advertisement)". The Times-Herald. March 31, 1968. p. 63. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
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