Jane Powell Biography: Husband, Age, Wikipedia, Movies, Awards, Net Worth, Parents, Siblings

Suzanne Lorraine Burce, professionally known as Jane Powell, was an American actress, singer, and dancer who shone as one of the last major stars of MGM’s golden-age musicals.

With her bright soprano voice, girl-next-door charm, and energetic performances, she starred in popular films of the 1940s and 1950s that showcased her singing and dancing.

Powell gained widespread recognition for roles in lighthearted musical comedies and later successfully transitioned to stage work, television, and occasional dramatic roles, leaving a warm legacy in classic Hollywood entertainment.

Quick Facts

• Full Name: Suzanne Lorraine Burce Stage Name: Jane Powell
• Born: 1 April 1929
• Age: 92 years old
• Died: 16 September 2021
• Birthplace: Portland, Oregon, United States
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Actress, Singer, Dancer
• Height: 1.54 m
• Parents: Paul Emerson Burce, Eileen Baker Burce
• Siblings: None
• Spouse: Geary Steffen (m. 1949–1953), Patrick Nerney (m. 1954–1963), James Fitzgerald (m. 1965–1975), David Parlour (m. 1978–1981), Dickie Moore (m. 1988–2015)
• Children: Gearhardt Anthony Steffen III, Suzanne Ilene Steffen, Lindsey Averill Nerney
• Relationship: Widowed
• Net Worth: $10 million

Early Life and Education

Suzanne Lorraine Burce was born on 1 April 1929 in Portland, Oregon. She was the only child of Paul Emerson Burce, who worked in a Wonder Bread factory, and Eileen Baker Burce, a homemaker who encouraged her daughter’s talents from an early age.

She had no siblings. Powell began dance lessons at age two and appeared on the local children’s radio program Stars of Tomorrow by age five. Her family briefly moved to Oakland, California, in hopes of attracting talent scouts before returning to Portland, where she attended Beaumont Grade School (now Beaumont Middle School) and later Grant High School.

She did not pursue higher education, focusing instead on performance training through dance and singing lessons. Her ethnicity was White American, and her religion is not publicly known.

Career

Jane Powell began her career as a child performer in Portland, singing on the radio and touring as the Oregon Victory Girl during World War II to sell war bonds.

She caught the attention of MGM talent scouts and signed with the studio at age 15, making her film debut in Song of the Open Road in 1944, where she played a character named Jane Powell and adopted the name professionally. Early roles in films like Holiday in Mexico and A Date with Judy showcased her fresh soprano voice and youthful appeal, quickly establishing her as a reliable musical ingénue.

Her career reached its peak in the early 1950s with standout performances in Royal Wedding opposite Fred Astaire, Two Weeks with Love, and the beloved Seven Brides for Seven Brothers in 1954, where her spirited singing and dancing helped make the film a lasting classic.

She also appeared in Hit the Deck and took on a rare dramatic role in the film noir The Female Animal. Powell later moved into stage musicals, starring in productions such as My Fair Lady and Irene, and made guest appearances on television while continuing occasional film and voice work.

Jane Powell remained a respected figure from Hollywood’s musical era, admired for her vocal range and energetic screen presence that brought joy to audiences during the studio system’s heyday.

Her work in iconic films like Seven Brides for Seven Brothers continues to be celebrated in retrospectives, and she influenced later generations of performers through her blend of charm, talent, and professionalism across stage and screen.

Social Media

Jane Powell does not have any social media platforms.

Personal Life

Jane Powell married five times. Her first marriage was to figure skater Geary Steffen in 1949; they had two children before divorcing in 1953.

She wed automobile executive Patrick Nerney in 1954 and had one daughter with him before their 1963 divorce.

Subsequent marriages to James Fitzgerald (1965–1975) and David Parlour (1978–1981) also ended in divorce. In 1988, she married former child actor Dickie Moore, and they remained together until he died in 2015. Powell lived quietly in Wilton, Connecticut, in her later years and spoke candidly about the pressures of early fame and her multiple marriages.

Filmography

• Song of the Open Road (1944)
• Holiday in Mexico (1946)
• A Date with Judy (1948)
• Royal Wedding (1951)
• Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)
• Hit the Deck (1955)
• The Female Animal (1958)
• Enchanted Island (1958)

Net Worth

Jane Powell had an estimated net worth of $10 million at the time of her death.

Her wealth came primarily from her long career at MGM during the studio’s peak years, earnings from starring roles in popular musical films, royalties that continued from classic movies, and later income from stage performances, television appearances, and personal appearances.