(Jan. 27, 1921 - Jan. 14, 1986) Donna Reed was an Academy Award-winning American actress. Ms. Reed is probably best remembered for her roles as the wholesome housewife "Donna Stone" on television's The Donna Reed Show and as "Mary Bailey" in Capra's It's a Wonderful Life. She won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for playing a bar maid in 1953's From Here to Eternity.