Hedda Hopper

Hedda Hopper (1885-1966) was an American gossip columnist and actress. Born as Elda Furry in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, she began her career in the chorus on Broadway. However, she was not successful in this venture. Hopper gained fame as a gossip columnist in the 1940s, with a readership of 35 million at its peak. She used her platform to support the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) hearings and actively named suspected communists. Hopper was also a prominent advocate for the Hollywood blacklist. Throughout her life, she continued writing gossip for various magazines and later on radio. Hopper had a notable feud with rival columnist Louella Parsons.