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Jane Forth

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jane Forth (born March 4, 1953)[1] is an American actress, model, and make-up artist. She is best known for having been a Warhol superstar, starring in the films Trash (1970) and L'Amour (1972).[2] She was also one of “Antonio’s Girls”, a muse of fashion illustrator Antonio Lopez.[3]

Life and career

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Early life

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In 1968, Forth and her family left St. Claire Shores, Michigan, to go to New York.[4] She lived with her mother, Rhea Forth, a data control analyst, in an apartment at Kips Bay Plaza.[5] Her parents were separated and her father was an executive with Renault, Inc., in New York.[5] She had three siblings, Diane, Robert, and Beverly.[5]

Forth briefly enrolled at a public junior high school before attending Quintano's School for Young Professionals, but she dropped out at the age of 15 to go to work as a salesgirl.[5]

Warhol years and modeling career

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She began her career as a receptionist at Andy Warhol's Factory in 1969.[6] Forth met Warhol at his home through her first boyfriend, Jay Johnson—twin brother of Warhol’s longtime partner, Jed Johnson.[3] Taken with her striking appearance, Warhol invited Forth to appear in Trash (1970) with Joe Dallesandro and Holly Woodlawn. Despite her youth, Forth shined in the production and Warhol called her "the most exciting thing to come his way since Viva!"[7]

Her unique look—involving plucked eyebrows, Wesson-oiled hair, pale skin, red cheeks, and bold lips—was proclaimed the “New Now Face” in 1970.[5] Her look was inspired by classic Hollywood heroines, such as Myrna Loy and Claudette Colbert, she styled herself in thrifted clothing from the 1930s and ‘40s.[3] Despite the praise she received for her look, Forth had a difficult time signing to a modeling agency due to her short stature.[5]

While operating the Green Branch Antique Store on First Avenue, Forth was rapidly launched into the worlds of fashion and film.[7] She became a protégé of fashion editor Diana Vreeland, who helped promote her.[8] Forth posed for Antonio Lopez’s fashion illustrations in the New York Times, Diane von Furstenberg, and was photographed for Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.[5]

Forth was 16 years old when Jack Mitchell photographed her for a nude four-page photo spread for the April 1970 cover of After Dark magazine.[7] In the article, Forth revealed that she was called to read for a part in the film The Telephone Book (1971).[7]

Forth appeared on The Dick Cavett Show alongside boxer Sugar Ray Robinson and psychiatrist Thomas S. Szasz in May 1970.[9]

Forth was featured in a fashion layout in the July 1970 edition of Life magazine.[4] The youth and arrogance of then-teenaged Forth shows through her 1970 statement to Life: "When I’m home I’m yelling at my mother to iron my clothes, and when I’m out, I’m standing around yawning at all these fancy people."[4] She declared in the same interview that she bought dime-store make up and each of her “dress-up" faces only cost twenty-five cents, with her thrifted vintage dresses averaging a price of $12.50.[4]

Forth appeared in the Factory film Women In Revolt (1971) and she had a leading role in Warhol's next production, L'Amour (1972), alongside Warhol superstar Donna Jordan.[3] L'Amour was filmed in Paris in the fall of 1970.[10]

In February 1971, Forth accompanied Warhol to Europe to attend the opening of his retrospective at the Tate Gallery.[11] They then embarked on a one-week promotional tour of Germany for the film Trash.[12]

After Forth became pregnant in 1971, she retired from acting and modeling.[1]

Later years

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In the late 1970s, Forth embarked on a career as a make-up artist.[13] She self-taught herself, attended night classes, and joined the union.[1] She was hired to do the make-up of people photographed by Warhol for their silkscreen portrait at the Factory, including singer Neil Sedaka and fashion designer Gianni Versace.[14][15] She also worked in makeup and special effects in the film industry. After becoming pregnant again in her thirties, she relocated to Los Angeles and made the decision to give up her work in beauty and become a stay-at-home mother.[1]

Personal life

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Forth had a son with fellow Warhol superstar Eric Emerson in 1971.[1] While raising her son as a single mother, she eventually met cinematographer Oliver Wood.[16] They were married for 22 years and had two daughters.[1]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
1970 Trash Jane
1971 Women in Revolt Jane
1972 L'Amour Jane
1977 Andy Warhol's Bad Screaming Passer-by
1981 CBS Afternoon Playhouse Make-up artist
1981 The Prowler Make-up artist
1983 Cold Feet Make-up artist

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Cesarine, Indira (2014-11-03). "Andy Warhol Superstar Jane Forth On The Factory Days – Exclusive Interview". Untitled Magazine. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
  2. ^ Jane Forth: Warhol's Trashy 1970's It Girl, Refinery29, Retrieved 3 May 2016
  3. ^ a b c d Jane Forth, ongoing exhibit. The Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh.
  4. ^ a b c d "Just plain Jane". Life. July 1970. pp. 54–57.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Klemesrud, BY Judy (1970-05-11). "An Actress-Model Who 'Has the Face of Now'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
  6. ^ Jane Forth, Teenage Model & Warhol Superstar, AgnautaCouture, Retrieved 3 May 2016
  7. ^ a b c d Robin, Steve (April 1970). "A Woman's Face". After Dark. p. 56.
  8. ^ Christy, Marian (1971-02-07). "Andy Warhol doesn't trust you". The Boston Globe. pp. 76–A. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  9. ^ "Today's TV Programs". Daily News. New York. May 22, 1970. p. 78.
  10. ^ Gopnik, Blake (2020). Warhol. New York, NY: Ecco. pp. 721–722. ISBN 978-0-06-229839-3.
  11. ^ Gosling, Nigel (February 21, 1971). "The Riddle of the Wonder Boy of Pop". The Observer. p. 9.
  12. ^ Colacello, Bob (1990). Holy terror : Andy Warhol close up. New York, NY: HarperCollins. pp. 48–49. ISBN 978-0-06-016419-5.
  13. ^ Warhol, Andy; Hackett, Pat (1989). The Andy Warhol Diaries. New York, NY: Warner Books. p. 201. ISBN 978-0-446-51426-2Entry date: January 31, 1979{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  14. ^ Warhol, Andy; Hackett, Pat (1989). The Andy Warhol Diaries. New York, NY: Warner Books. p. 209. ISBN 978-0-446-51426-2Entry date: March 6, 1979{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  15. ^ Warhol, Andy; Hackett, Pat (1989). The Andy Warhol Diaries. New York, NY: Warner Books. p. 255. ISBN 978-0-446-51426-2Entry date: January 8, 1980{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  16. ^ AnOther (2016-12-14). "Jane Forth, One of New York's Most Notable Renaissance Women". AnOther. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
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