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She was born Agnes Robertson Moorehead on December 6, 1900 in Clinton, Massachusetts. Her mother, Mary Moorehead, was a singer and her father, John Moorehead, was a Presbyterian clergyman. After high school she earned a Bachelor’s degree from Muskingum College in Ohio. Agnes moved to Reedsburg, Wisconsin where she spent a few years teaching. Tragically her younger sister Margaret committed suicide in 1929. She had always dreamed of becoming an actress so she enrolled at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. Her professional career began in the theater. Then she starred in several successful radio series including Sherlock Holmes and Evenings In Paris. On June 5, 1930 she married John Griffith Lee, an actor. Orson Welles invited her to join his Mercury Theater troupe of actors in 1937. Agnes was part of his legendary 1938 War of the Worlds radio broadcast. At the age of forty she made her film debut in the critically acclaimed Citizen Kane. MGM signed her to a contract for six thousand dollars a week. In 1943 she was nominated for an Academy Award for her supporting role in The Magnificent Ambersons. She also received Oscar nominations for her performances in Mrs. Parkington and Johnny Belinda.
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