Mary Nash

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Biography

After a brief stab at films in 1913, actress Mary Nash returned to the stage, where she remained until settling in Hollywood permanently in 1934. In films until 1946, Nash was often cast as seemingly mild-mannered women who turned vicious when challenged, as witness her work in College Scandal (1936) and Charlie Chan in Panama (1940). As the hateful Fraulein Rottenmeier in Heidi (1937), she proved so effective at menacing Shirley Temple that she was rehired in 1939 to give Temple even more hell in The Little Princess (1939). Mary Nash's most sympathetic role was as the long-suffering wife of blustering capitalist J. B. Ball in Easy Living (1937). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Mary Nash
Born Mary Nash
August 15, 1884(1884-08-15)
Troy, New York, U.S.
Died December 3, 1976(1976-12-03) (aged 92)
Brentwood, California, U.S.
Occupation Actress
Years active 1904–1946
Spouse Jose Ruben (1918–?) (divorce)

Mary Nash (August 15, 1884 – December 3, 1976) was an American actress.[1]

Contents

Early life

Nash was born on August 15, 1884 (some say 1885) in Troy, New York, to parents Philip Nash, who worked for B. F. Keith Vaudeville Circuit, and Ellen Frances MacNamara.[2] She was educated at the Convent of St. Anne in Montreal and trained for acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Her younger sister was theater actress Florence Nash.

Stage and film career

She was a noted stage actress in New York[3] and successful in vaudeville before moving to Hollywood in 1934, where she was in films until 1946. According to Allmovie: "Nash was often cast as seemingly mild-mannered women who turned vicious when challenged, as witness her work in College Scandal (1936) and Charlie Chan in Panama (1940). ... Mary Nash's most sympathetic role was as the long-suffering wife of blustering capitalist J. B. Ball in Easy Living (1937)."[4] Nash probably is best known for two films where she acted alongside Shirley Temple, first as Fraulein Rottenmeier in Heidi (1937) and then as the selfish and authoritarian Miss Minchin in The Little Princess (1939). She also was well known as Katharine Hepburn's socialite mother in both stage and movie productions of The Philadelphia Story (1940). She played a supporting role in the 1936 Academy Award-winning film Come and Get It and a featured role in In the Meantime, Darling in 1944.

Personal life

In 1918 she married French actor, writer and director Jose Ruben (1888–1969). They were divorced shortly after.

She died from natural causes, at home on December 3, 1976, in Brentwood, California.[1]

Filmography

Photos

References

  1. ^ a b "Mary Nash Dead; Character Actress Of Stage and Film". New York Times. December 8, 1976. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F4091FFA3F59157493CAA91789D95F428785F9. Retrieved 2010-10-07. "Mary Nash, whose 40-year career as an actress included stardom on Broadway and success in motion pictures and vaudeville, died Friday at her home in Brentwood, Calif. She was 92 years old." 
  2. ^ Great Stars of the American Stage by Daniel C. Blum Profile #103 c.1952(this 2nd edition c.1954)
  3. ^ Mary Nash at the Internet Broadway Database
  4. ^ Hal Erickson, Allmovie, 2006

External links


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Mentioned in

The Two Orphans (American Theater)
Mary Nash (Actor, Drama/Comedy)
The Man Who Came Back (American Theater)
Arms and the Woman (1916 Drama Film)
Charlie Chan in Panama (1940 Spy Film)