Joan Castle

Joan Castle (February 26, 1914 – December 2, 2009) was an American actress who worked across film, television, and stage. Born in Chicago to French parents, she began studying ballet at a young age and went on to dance professionally. Her career started in the 1920s while she was still a child.

Castle initially performed under the name Yvonne Duval, during which time she held a two-year contract with Paramount that she later described as unproductive. After signing with NBC Artists Bureau, she adopted the name Joan Castle. During the early 1930s she spent time in Hollywood, appearing in Fox Films productions including Young Sinners, Hush Money, and Mr. Lemon of Orange. She had also auditioned for the science-fiction musical Just Imagine, though the role went to Maureen O'Sullivan. Castle eventually became a contract player for Fox Films, and later took on minor roles in Twentieth Century-Fox productions toward the end of the decade.

Her Broadway work included the 1932 play Collision. A significant stage opportunity came when she stepped in for Audrey Christie, who had fallen ill during the run of the Broadway comedy Sailor Beware. Castle took over Christie's role and continued in it until the show closed. She also appeared in a touring production of The Play's the Thing alongside José Ferrer, and replaced Effie Afton in the role of Violet Shelton in My Sister Eileen, which starred Shirley Booth.

During World War II, Castle spent eight months touring with the USO production Nothing But The Truth, performing across South America, Africa, and Egypt. Her most prominent film role came in the Universal picture Sing a Jingle, in which she played Vera Grant opposite Allan Jones. Her television credits included an episode of The Philco Television Playhouse in 1949, an episode of Colgate Theatre in 1950, and a 1966 appearance on Girl Talk.

Castle married actor William Post Jr. on September 11, 1941; the couple divorced in 1944. She later married William Sitwell.