Ann Todd (American actress) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ann E. Todd
Todd in Stronger Than Desire (1939)
Born	Ann Todd Phillips (1931-08-26)August 26, 1931 Denver, Colorado, U.S.
Died	February 7, 2020(2020-02-07) (aged 88) Berkeley, California, U.S.
Occupation	Child actress
Years active	1939–1953
Spouse(s)	Robert Basart ​ ​ (m. 1951; died 1993)​
Children	2

Ann E. Todd (born Ann Todd Phillips, later Ann Basart or Ann Phillips Basart; August 26, 1931 – February 7, 2020) was an American child actress. As an adult, she became a music reference librarian at University of California, Berkeley.

Early years

Todd was born in 1931 in Denver, Colorado, to Burrill L. and Alberta C. (née Mayfield) Phillips. She had a younger brother, Stephen (1937–1986). She was a distant relative of Mary Todd Lincoln. Due to the privations of the Great Depression, she was raised by her maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Ulysses Mayfield, her adoptive name was Ann Todd Mayfield. (A Newspaper Enterprise Association story published June 13, 1940, refers to Mrs. A.U. Mayfield as Todd's mother.)

In 1942, Todd was hospitalized in critical condition when blood poisoning developed after she cut her foot playing a game in her backyard.

Film career

Todd made her acting debut in Zaza (1939) directed by George Cukor. In a career spanning over 14 years, she appeared in almost 40 movies alongside such stars as Ingrid Bergman, Shirley Temple, James Stewart, John Garfield, Bette Davis, Barbara Stanwyck and Marlene Dietrich.

Due to the similarities between her name and the established British actress Ann Todd, she added the initial "E." to her name. Todd was a regular in The Stu Erwin Show from 1950 to 1953. She became a teacher and librarian in her later life.

Librarian and academic career

After graduating from the University of California, Los Angeles, she attended the University of California, Berkeley, where she obtained a master's degree in library science in 1958 and a Master of Arts in 1960. She was a reference librarian at U.C. Berkeley from 1960 to 1961 and 1970 to 1990. Among her accomplishments was founding and editing Cum Notis Variorum, the library's newsletter, which gained a substantial reputation. Additionally Basart wrote reviews for the Music Library Association publication Notes as well as serving as its music review editor and book review editor.

She taught at the San Francisco College for Women and at the University of California, Berkeley.

In 1984, Basart established Fallen Leaf Press, publishing reference books in music as well as scores of contemporary American chamber music. Basart closed the business in 2000.

In 1993, she was recognized by the Music Library Association for lifetime achievement.

Filmography