What's After the Movie
Ellen Corby
Ellen Hansen Corby was a prominently recognized American actress and screenwriter. Notably lauded for her sterling portrayal of Esther "Grandma" Walton on the CBS television series The Waltons, Corby was a recipient of three Emmy Awards for this role. An Academy Award nominee, she clinched a Golden Globe Award for I Remember Mama (1948), where she delivered an unmatched performance as Aunt Trina. Born to Danish immigrant parents, her career in theater began with amateur plays during her high school years. She moved to Hollywood in 1932 and got employed at two studios as a script girl. Besides her professional foray into acting, Corby was also recognized for her writing talent at Paramount studios.
Determined to succeed, Corby debuted in more than 30 films during the 1930s and 1940s, and her first role culminated from a film released by RKO studios. She received an Academy Award nomination for I Remember Mama (1948), and consistently portrayed figures such as maids, secretaries, and gossips throughout her career. Corby also had a recurring role in the NBC television series Please Don't Eat the Daisies. Unfortunately, she suffered a stroke in 1976 which had a significant impact on her mobility and speech, but she resumed her role in The Waltons the following year.
Biography, Career & Filmography
Learn more about Ellen Corby, including a detailed biography, career timeline, personal life insights, and complete filmography. Discover how Ellen Corby rose to fame, their major roles, industry impact, and personal milestones in the world of film.
Given Name: Ellen Hansen
Born: Racine, Wisconsin, U.S.
Citizenship: American
Birthday: June 3, 1911
Occupations: Actress, Screenwriter
Years Active: 1933-1999
Spouses: Francis Corby
External Links and Streaming Options
Explore more about on trusted external platforms like Metacritic, Rotten Tomatoes, IMDb or Wikipedia. Find additional details, reviews, and related content to deepen your understanding.
Movies Featuring Ellen Corby
The Gunfighter
Angels in the Outfield
On Moonlight Bay
Vertigo
A Wedding on Waltons Mountain
A Day for Thanks on Waltons Mountain
All the Way Home
The Waltons: A Decade of the Waltons
A Fine Pair
They Won’t Believe Me
Fighting Father Dunne
Edge of Doom
Woman They Almost Lynched
The Long Night
4 for Texas
Crack-Up
Lover Come Back
The Unfaithful
The Homecoming: A Christmas Story
A Tattered Web
A Walton Wedding
The Story of Pretty Boy Floyd
Living in a Big Way
Cannon
Forever Amber
The Family Jewels
Fearless Fagan
The Dark Corner
Caged
Here Comes the Groom
The Gnome-Mobile
The Vanquished
Visit to a Small Planet
Napoleon and Samantha
Stagecoach To Fury
Rafter Romance
The Bowery Boys Meet the Monsters
The Truth About Murder
Illegal
The Legend of Lylah Clare
Hush… Hush, Sweet Charlotte
Born to Kill
The Glass Bottom Boat
From This Day Forward
About Mrs. Leslie
Support Your Local Gunfighter
The Dark Past
A Walton Thanksgiving Reunion
A Walton Easter
The Big Trees
Goodbye, My Fancy
The Locket
Pocketful of Miracles
The Night of the Grizzly
The Strangler
Railroaded!
Madame Bovary
Harriet Craig
Cornered
The Ghost & Mr. Chicken
Night Passage
The Judge Steps Out
All Mine to Give
A Woman’s Secret
I Remember Mama
The Mating Season
Sons of the Desert
Babes in Toyland
Bedlam
Slightly Scarlet
The Caretakers
The Spiral Staircase
Macabre
Career Timeline
Track the complete movie timeline of Ellen Corby, including all film releases, career breakthroughs, and notable roles. Follow their journey from early performances to recent blockbusters and upcoming projects.
1982
A Wedding on Waltons Mountain
Grandma Walton
A Day for Thanks on Waltons Mountain
Esther Walton
1971
The Homecoming: A Christmas Story
Esther Walton
A Tattered Web
Mrs. Simmons
Cannon
Teacher
Support Your Local Gunfighter
Abigail
1966
The Glass Bottom Boat
Anna Miller
The Night of the Grizzly
Hazel Squires
The Ghost & Mr. Chicken
Neva Tremaine
1951
Angels in the Outfield
On Moonlight Bay
Here Comes the Groom
Mrs. McGonigle
Goodbye, My Fancy
Miss Birdshaw
The Mating Season
Annie
1948
Fighting Father Dunne
Colpeck's Secretary
The Dark Past
Agnes (uncredited)
I Remember Mama
Aunt Trina
1947
They Won’t Believe Me
The Long Night
Observer in Crowd (uncredited)
The Unfaithful
Courtroom Spectator
Living in a Big Way
Broken Arms' Sailors Wife (uncredited)
Forever Amber
Marge
Born to Kill
Maid (uncredited)
Railroaded!
Mrs. Wills (uncredited)
The Judge Steps Out
Mother at Party (uncredited)
1946
Crack-Up
Reynold's Maid (Uncredited)
Lover Come Back
Rita
The Dark Corner
Maid (uncredited)
The Truth About Murder
Betty
From This Day Forward
Mother
The Locket
Ginny (uncredited)
Bedlam
Queen of the Artichokes (uncredited)
The Spiral Staircase
Neighbour (uncredited)
What's After the Movie?
Not sure whether to stay after the credits? Find out!
Explore Our Movie Platform
New Movie Releases (2025)
Famous Movie Actors
Top Film Production Studios
Movie Plot Summaries & Endings
Major Movie Awards & Winners
Best Concert Films & Music Documentaries
Movie Collections and Curated Lists
© 2025 What's After the Movie. All rights reserved.