Jessica was born March 9, 1928 to Henry & Emily Cranshaw in Tuscumbia, Alabama. The family moved to New York City when Jessica was just 3 years old. By the time she was 7, Jessica had already found a love of the theatre. She saved all of her pennies to see as many shows as she could. She was 12 when she got her first audition. The director was stunned by her illuminating stage presence and cast her on the spot in the chorus. Thus began an illustrious career on the stage. She moved on to film in her early 20s. Many directors told her that she would have been great in silent movies, but she was never quite sure what they meant by that, so she took it as a compliment. For years Jessica told people that she has understudied Judy Garland in "The Wizard of Oz", not realizing that there are no such things as understudies in film. Never mind the fact that she was only 10 years old when the movie was filmed.
Jessica was much loved by her cat, Mr. Jiggles, and by her many costars. Jessica was starring in Fox & Hendricks show "Robbin' Hood" at the time of her demise. She will be sorely missed by her associates. Attempts were made to collect statements of mourning from her many former castmates, but none were available at press time.
A memorial service was held on Feburary 28, 1959 at St. Peter Paul & Mary's Church, but no one attended. Jessica has been cremated and her ashes were mixed with the paint used on the stage at the Broadway theatre where "Robbin' Hood" will be performed. Now her former castmates can walk all over her.
Jessica Cranshaw
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