- Born
- Died
- Birth nameHelen Virginia Briggs
- Height5′ 6″ (1.68 m)
- American leading lady of the 1930s and 1940s, Virginia Bruce was born in Minnesota but grew up in Fargo, North Dakota, and came to California to attend college. Her blond good looks got her an entry into films, and after a few extra roles and bit parts she began to make serious inroads as a leading woman in secondary films and as the "other" woman in more prestigious productions. She married screen legend John Gilbert, then in his decline. Subsequently she was married to director J. Walter Ruben and to Turkish producer/director Ali Ipar, for whom she appeared in some Turkish films all but unseen in America. She died in 1982.
- IMDb mini biography by: Jim Beaver <jumblejim@prodigy.net>
- SpousesAli Ipar(November 13, 1952 - January 16, 1964) (divorced)Ali Ipar(August 27, 1946 - July 30, 1951) (divorced)J. Walter Ruben(December 18, 1937 - August 16, 1942) (his death, 1 child)John Gilbert(August 11, 1932 - May 25, 1934) (divorced, 1 child)
- ParentsEarll Frederick BriggsMargaret Mary Morris
- RelativesStanley Morris Briggs(Sibling)
- She was divorced from Ali Ipar for the first time in 1951 when he began his compulsory Turkish army service because Turkish law forbids commissions to men married to foreigners.
- Very good friends with Cesar Romero and Joan Crawford.
- Coached by Roger Edens her soprano voice was used to introduce the Cole Porter song "I've Got You Under My Skin" to film audiences in the MGM musical Born to Dance (1936), singing the song to James Stewart.
- Her brother Stanley Briggs was married to Buddy Ebsen's sister and dance partner Vilma Ebsen.
- Her promising "A" MGM status was hurt following the death of Irving Thalberg. She subsequently was relegated to "B" films.
- My chief purpose in life is to fall in love. I don't know why I want to, but I do.
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