Jean Adair


Jean Adair was a Canadian actress.

Life and career

Born as Violet McNaughton in Hamilton, Ontario, she worked primarily on stage but also made several film appearances late in her career, most notably as Aunt Martha, one of Cary Grant's dotty old aunts in Arsenic and Old Lace, a role she originated on Broadway. Her final performance was as the beloved matriarch Rebecca Nurse in the original production of The Crucible. Like many stage actresses of her era, she also appeared in vaudeville.
She was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada and died in New York City, New York, at age 79.

Broadway productions

Bell, Book and Candle