Obit of Cartwright, Lynn (c636) - Pittsburg County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Gene Phillips 31 Aug 2004 Return to Pittsburg County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/pittsburg/pittsburg.htm ========================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ========================================================================== McAlester News-Capital & Democrat Published on Wednesday, January 21, 2004 9:11 AM CST From McAlester to Hollywood, Lynn Cartwright lit up the silver screen By CLYDE WOOLDRIDGE, sports editor McAlester-born actress Lynn Cartwright, best known for her portrayal of the older Geena Davis character in "A League of Their Own," died Jan. 2, in Los Angeles. She was 76. Cartwright grew up in McAlester and attended school in the local ward schools. She was one of two daughters of long time state politician Wilburn Cartwright. Her father began his political career after residing in the McAlester area and holding down the position of superintendent of schools at Krebs. He was U.S. Congressman from District No. 3, which included McAlester, from 1927 until 1942. The Congressman built a magnificent home at 501 East Adams in McAlester that still stands today. Lynn Cartwright's health began to decline in December of 2000, following the death of her long-time husband, screenwriter and western star Leo Gordon. Gordon was more widely known for his creation and production of "Bonanza" in the 1960s. He created the main characters and gave them the last name that was the same as his wife's maiden name. Mrs. Cartwright appeared in such popular 1950s television shows as "Highway Patrol," "Man Called X," and "Bat Masterson." She also worked in several stage productions and for 15 years with the Group Repertory Theater in Los Angeles. Her biggest break in films didn't come until she was 65, when chosen for the 1992 movie, "A league of their own." She built a successful career in acting since she left her childhood home in McAlester. She studied theater at Stephens College in Missouri and at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. She appeared on stage with Anne Bancroft and Grace Kelley, her list of TV credits was long and varied, all the way from "Hallmark Theater," to the soaps. Her roster of film roles included "Crybaby Killer," Jack Nicholson's first film, "The Seniors" and "The Apartment." Even in all that, Cartwright said she treasured her Oklahoma roots. "I have some wonderful memories of growing up in Oklahoma," she said in 1992. "I came from a very artistic family. My mother was a wonderful musician who headed the music department at a small college in Michigan before she met my dad. And my sister, Wilburta, is a very successful artist." While her father, the politician, might have seemed like odd man out in this family of creative types, Mrs. Cartwright said he taught her that theater and politics were not terribly far removed. From her high-profile dad, the dusky-voiced actress speculated that she inherited the love of the spotlight and the toughness to withstand rejection; necessary drives in politics and show business. "My dad didn't win all of his campaigns. He was defeated the first two times he ran for office. But he was a determined man." Wilburn Cartwright spent 51 years in state politics, in a career that encompassed stints as a U.S. Congressman, Oklahoma Secretary of State and Corporation Commissioner. He even made an unsuccessful run for governor. His precocious daughter Lynn, while dividing her childhood years between McAlester and Washington, D.C., watched her father and learned from his ease with an audience. "From early on, I used to do well in speech competitions and monologues in school," she said. "I had a room full of medals and trophies." To many of the citizens of McAlester in their 70s, who grew up in the community, the memory of Lynn Cartwright is one of great pride from pronouncing this great lady as a former -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Pittsburg County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/pittsburg/pittsburg.htm