Marian Nixon (October 20, 1904 – February 13, 1983) was an American film actress.
Career
Born
Marian Nissinen in
Superior, Wisconsin, Nixon began her career as a teen working as a chorus dancer on the
vaudeville circuit. She began appearing in bit part in films in 1922 and landed her first substantial role in the 1923 film
Cupid's Fireman, opposite
Buck Jones. The following year, she was named a
WAMPAS Baby Star. Nixon continued to work steadily throughout the mid to late 1920s appearing in
Riders of the Purple Sage (1925),
Hands Up! (1926), and
The Chinese Parrot (1927). In 1929, she made her
talkie debut as the lead in
Geraldine. Later that same year, Nixon appeared opposite
Al Jolson in
Say It with Songs followed by
General Crack in 1930.
In 1932, she starred as Rebecca in the film adaption of
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm with
Ralph Bellamy. Following the release of
Rebecca, Nixon co-starred in
Winner Take All with
James Cagney. The next year she had a supporting role in
John Ford's
Pilgrimage. In 1934, Nixon attempted to change her wholesome image with a role in the comedy
We’re Rich Again. The film wasn't a success and after appearing in eight more films, Nixon retired from acting in 1936.
Personal life
On August 11, 1929, Nixon married
Chicago department store heir, Edward Hillman, Jr., at the home of his parents. The couple divorced in 1933. The following year, she married her
We’re Rich Again director,
William A. Seiter. The marriage...
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