Claire Trevor Gives $500,000 to UC Irvine

Oscar-winning actress Claire Trevor Bren announced Thursday that she has donated $500,000 toward the renovation of UC Irvine’s student theater, part of a massive $23.7-million upgrade of the university’s school of the arts.

Her gift makes possible the completion of a $2.7-million modernization of the 30-year-old Village Theatre, where 100 student plays, concerts and dance performances are staged annually for the public.

“I believe in young people today, and the theater is one place to develop your imagination,” the 88-year-old actress said in announcing her gift from the stage of the 400-seat theater, which will be renamed in her honor.

“Before they face reality, they can soar,” said Bren, who became misty-eyed when five theater students thanked her by serenading her with show tunes, including Cole Porter’s “You’re the Top.”

The Newport Beach philanthropist, who made her Broadway stage debut at the age of 11, won an Academy Award in 1948 for her supporting role in “Key Largo” and appeared in more than 60 films with such stars as Humphrey Bogart and John Wayne. She is the stepmother of Donald Bren, chairman of the Irvine Co., one of Orange County’s largest developers.