Brenda Joyce, 92; was Jane to Weissmuller’s Tarzan

[Forkboy]

SANTA MONICA, Calif. - Brenda Joyce, a movie actress who played Jane in five “Tarzan’’ films, has died. She was 92.

A family friend, David Ragan, says she suffered from dementia for a decade and died July 4 of pneumonia at a nursing home in Santa Monica.

Ms. Joyce, a native of Missouri whose real name was Betty Leabo, appeared in about two dozen movies but she is best known for succeeding Maureen O’Sullivan as Jane in the “Tarzan’’ pictures. She appeared in the “Tarzan’’ movies in the 1940s, opposite Johnny Weissmuller and later Lex Barker.

Ms. Joyce made her last movie in 1949. Ragan said she worked for the immigration department for a decade, helping new immigrants find housing and work.

Ms. Joyce leaves a son, two daughters, and three grandchildren.

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/obituaries/articles/2009/07/23/brenda_joyce_92_was_jane_to_weissmullers_tarzan/

I loved these movies as a child.

R.I.P. Brenda.

[bhcodem]

1. My namesake

My first and middle name were inspired by her name!

[Forkboy]

2. Wow, that's cool.

Sad, too, of course, but a cool bit of info.

[Captain Hilts]

3. He is still THE tarzan. To think he wouldn't earn an Olympic medal swimming against women nowadays.

[NashVegas]

4. Just For Ya