Welles was found by a talent agent while visiting Hollywood for her sister's wedding, where she was encouraged to do a screen test.

She later took a break from the film industry to become a stage actress, before taking a hiatus from show business to raise a family.

[4] After college, Welles returned to Hollywood in June 1945 for a screen test by Warner Brothers, but did not sign a contract.

Talent agent William Meiklejohn heard about her test and ran it for the executives of Paramount Studios, who she signed a contract with on August 7, 1945.

She instead opted for wildness, which is how the scene was shot, though she later accepted that the expression used in the film was not right, noting that "people in the subway look dazed.

"[5] After starring in numerous films during the 1940s, Welles became a stage actress in San Francisco, California, before leaving show business to dedicate her life to her family and raise her children.