Olympe Bradna

Olympe Bradna (12 August 1920 – 5 November 2012) was a

French dancer and actress, later based in the United States for many years

until her death.

Branda appeared at 18 months of age with her parents, who

were world-famous bare back riders. At the age of eight (8) she was a successful

acrobatic dancer in a French version of Hit the Deck. Later she joined the

Folies Bergère. She danced in Stockholm, New York City and other world

capitals. She started her film career in France, then later moved to Hollywood,

California where she saw her greatest success. During her career she appeared

opposite such notables as Ronald Reagan, George Raft and Gary Cooper.

In May, 1941 Olympe married Douglas Woods Wilhoit, at which

point she retired from acting. For many years she and her family lived in

Stockton, California, before ultimately settling in Lodi, California. Together,

she and Douglas would have four children, five grandchildren and eight

great-grandchildren. They were married for over seventy years, with Douglas

passing away in February, 2012, just nine months prior to Olympe's death.