Joan Edwards (February 13, 1919 – August 27, 1981)[1] was an American film actress and singer-songwriter in the old-time radio era.

"[5] As a child, Edwards had a heart murmur, and doctors advised her to start playing the piano "to keep her busy outside of school hours.

[11] Three years later, an article in Tune In magazine observed, "Joan Edwards sets something of a record, lasting through the regimes of three male singers -- Barry Wood, [Frank] Sinatra, [Lawrence] Tibbett -- in a three-year period.

"[12] Her tenure on the program eventually reached five years,[8] and the list of male singers' names grew to include Dick Todd and Johnny Mercer.

[13] She was dropped from Your Hit Parade in 1947 when the sponsor, American Tobacco Company, changed format, using guest stars rather than regular soloists.

The 15-minute program was broadcast on Tuesday and Thursday nights at 7:45 p.m. A review in the trade publication Variety called Edwards "a capable singer" with "a well-tailored presentation backed by good camera work.

"[17] She also was seen in a TV version of her Girl About Town radio program from 1941 to 1942, which was broadcast by CBS on its New York station WCBW.

"[10] In 1942, Edwards performed at the Copley-Plaza hotel in Boston, Massachusetts, with what one newspaper columnist called "the year's most unusual night-club contract.