“A Cute-Looking Little Tomboy”
On October 6, 1908, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Carole Lombard was born under the name Jane Alice Peters. Her parents were Fredric and Elizabeth Peters, both of whom came from generational wealth, and she had two older brothers, Fredric Jr. and John. Jane’s early childhood was very privileged and social, filled with parties, sporting events, and community activities.
Photo by Bettmann/Getty Images
Jane was an entertainer from a young age, always dancing around for the grown-ups at her mother’s events. Her mother always told her that girls could do anything boys could, so Jane grew into quite the tomboy determined to compete with her brothers, whom she greatly admired. Sadly, not all was perfect in paradise, and her parents’ marriage soon fell apart.