She was born as Gladys Clare Evans on September 13, 1904 in Patten, Maine (Another source says Hatton, Maine; a third source says "Gladys was born in a little town in Missouri, where the troupe her parents belonged to happened to be stranded at the time.") to English parents.
Hun blev født som Gladys Clare Evans den 13. september 1904 i Patten, Maine (en anden kilde siger Hatton, Maine; en tredje kilde siger "Gladys blev født i en lille by i Missouri, hvor hendes forældres truppe tilfældigvis var havnet på det tidspunkt.") til engelske forældre.