Marian Nixon

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.[1] 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. She made her last film, Captain Calamity at the age of 32.

Personal life

Nixon married boxer Joseph Benjamin in 1925, but later divorced in 1927.

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 lasted until Seiter's death in 1964. They had three children, including Christopher Seiter (1934-2003). In 1974, she married actor/producer Ben Lyon. After Lyon's death in 1979, Nixon never remarried. (Her obituary in the Chicago Tribune said that she married Lyon in 1971.)

Her grandsons are the screenwriters Ted Griffin and Nicholas Griffin.

Death

Nixon died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center of complications following open heart surgery on February 13, 1983. and is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California.

Recognition

For her contribution to the motion picture industry, Marian Nixon has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1724 Vine Street in Los Angeles, California. It was dedicated on February 8, 1960.