Born in Shoshoni, Wyoming, on July 19, 1907, Jewell was the daughter of Emory Lee Jewell and Livia A. Willoughby Jewell. Her father was “a prominent … doctor and medical researcher.” She was educated at St. Mary’s Academy in Minnesota and at Hamilton College in Kentucky.

In the mid to late 1930s, Jewell was seen at nightclubs with actor William Hopper. (He appeared on the Perry Mason TV series and was the son of gossip columnist Hedda Hopper and stage star DeWolf Hopper). In 1936, she wed Owen Crump, divorcing in 1941 to facilitate her next wedding.

In 1941, Jewell married actor Paul Marion, who was then a private in the Army. They separated in 1943 and were divorced on May 12, 1944.

In 1960, Jewell was recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her contribution to motion pictures. The star is located at 1560 Vine Street.

In 1972, Jewell appeared opposite Edie Sedgwick in the film Ciao! Manhattan. Her final film was the B movie Sweet Kill (1973), the directorial debut of Curtis Hanson, a future Academy Award winner.

Jewell died in Los Angeles, California on April 5, 1972, aged 64, from suicide after taking an overdose of barbiturates. Her ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean.