Definition

Proper noun * Joan Crawford: A stage name referring to Lucille Fay LeSueur, a prominent and influential American film actress whose career spanned several decades, primarily during Hollywood's Golden Age. She is known for her powerful screen presence, often portraying strong-willed, ambitious, and sometimes suffering women, and for winning the Academy Award for Best Actress.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • Joan Crawford starred in classic films like "Mildred Pierce" and "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?".
  • The biography explores the life and career of Joan Crawford.
  • Her performance is often compared to that of Joan Crawford.

Advanced Usage

• The name "Joan Crawford" is often used metonymically to refer to a particular archetype of a fierce, determined, and glamorous Hollywood star from a specific era.
  • The actress brought a real Joan Crawford intensity to the role.

Variants and Related Words

• Crawfordian (adj): Pertaining to or characteristic of Joan Crawford or her style.
  • She has a Crawfordian elegance in her demeanor.

Synonyms

• Film star, screen legend, Academy Award-winning actress.

Related Idioms & Phrases

• "No wire hangers!": A famous, often-referenced line delivered by Joan Crawford's character in the film "Mommie Dearest," which has entered popular culture as a shorthand for extreme strictness or anger. This is a cultural reference stemming from a specific portrayal of her.
  • When my boss saw the messy report, he yelled like Joan Crawford with the wire hangers.

Noun

1. United States film actress (1908-1977)