The gifted Carole Lombard was born this day 116 years ago. One of the sexiest and most gifted comediennes the silver screen has ever known, she received one nomination for 1936’s My Man Godfrey (which I would have given her). She also should have been nominated for Twentieth Century, Nothing Sacred, the exceptional Hitchcock vehicle Mr. and Mrs. Smith, and To Be or Not to Be.

In 1999, the American Film Institute ranked Lombard 23rd on its list of the greatest female stars of Classic Hollywood Cinema. But Lombard was indeed

Lombard was eager to win an Academy Award, and selected her next project with the expectation that it would bring her the trophy. (At the 12th Academy Awards ceremony in February 1940, Lombard was quoted as comforting Gable after his loss as Rhett Butler from Gone with the Wind, with the comment “Don’t worry, Pappy. We’ll bring one home next year”. Gable replied that he felt this had been his last chance to which Lombard was said to have replied, “Not you, you self-centered bastard. I meant me.”) George Stevens’ Vigil in the Night featured Lombard as a nurse who faces a series of personal difficulties. Although the performance was praised, she did not get her nomination, as the somber mood of the picture turned audiences away and box-office returns were poor.

Then Lombard was killed in a plane crash aboard TWA Flight 3 while returning from a war bond tour. She was 33 years old. Today, she is remembered as one of the definitive actresses of the screwball comedy genre and American comedy and as an icon of American cinema.

This article is part of a special year-long series of anecdotes, reflections and thoughts about the Academy Awards.