Ida Lupino was an English-American actress, director, and screenwriter who is best known for her role in the 1941 film High Sierra. She was the first woman to direct a film noir, The Hitch-Hiker, and the first woman to direct episodes of television series. Lupino was also a successful singer and songwriter, having written and performed several songs for films. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in High Sierra.