Born: 1903 (Newark, New Jersey)
Biography:
Bertha Betty Danko was an American stuntwoman and stunt double, born on September 19, 1903, in Newark, New Jersey. Her father, John Danko, hailed from Germany, while her mother, Mary Danko, was a native of Hungary. Betty had an older brother and sister, and from a young age, she showed great athleticism, actively participating in sports such as right forward in school and excelling in high jump, where she won several medals.
In 1927, Danko and her family relocated to Hollywood, California. Encouraged by relatives living in Los Angeles and intrigued by their descriptions of the city, her father decided to sell their home and other properties in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and make the journey across the country. Initially, Danko’s plan was to stay in California for a year, working to earn money to pay for tuition at a chiropractic school in her home state. However, fate took a different turn for her.
During her first week in Los Angeles, Danko was approached by a woman in a store who invited her to accompany her to an outdoor film shoot later that evening. At the location, one of the actors noticed them and inquired if they were involved in the film industry. Without missing a beat, the woman replied in the affirmative. Impressed by Danko’s presence, the actor suggested she would make a great college type for their upcoming movie and asked for her phone number. Several weeks later, Danko received a call offering her work as a member of a girls’ basketball team in a film. This opportunity eventually led her to Hal Roach Studios, where she began her career as a stunt double.
Throughout her career, Danko had the privilege of doubling for numerous leading actresses of the 1930s and 1940s. Among the notable stars she worked with were Jean Arthur, Binnie Barnes, Joan Crawford, Irene Dunne, Madge Evans, Jean Harlow, Patsy Kelly, Elissa Landi, Myrna Loy, Maureen O’Sullivan, Marie Prevost, Thelma Todd, Marie Windsor, and Blanche Yurka. Danko became known for her exceptional bump work, for which she received the standard studio fee of $11 per day as a stand-in and $35 per day as a stunt double.
Betty Danko’s most famous role was as the stunt double for Margaret Hamilton, who portrayed the Wicked Witch of the West in the iconic 1939 film, The Wizard of Oz. However, filming the skywriting scene for the movie proved to be a turning point in Danko’s life. A pipe attached to the Witch’s broomstick exploded during the scene, resulting in a severe leg wound that landed her in the hospital.
Despite the injury, Danko persisted in her career as a stuntwoman until a non-stunt-related accident in the late 1950s abruptly ended her time in the film industry. Waiting for a bus one day, Danko was struck by a car, causing significant injuries and permanently altering the course of her life.
Following her retirement, Betty Danko resided in a Hollywood bungalow with her widowed mother for over 50 years. A testament to her tenacity and determination, she left an indelible mark on the world of stunt doubling and women’s history within the film industry.