Lovely, innocent-looking, well-endowed comedienne Marie Wilson was a featherbrained delight instantly reminiscent of the zany Gracie Allen. Unlike Allen, however, Marie was a knockout--with high cheekbones, a wide slash of a mouth and a figure that wouldn't quit. She was born Katherine Elizabeth Wilson on August 19, 1916, in Anaheim, California. ...
Irma had to be a virgin for the network. I guess if I noted any changes in television today it's the fact that a girl can work as a secretary in a series and not be cast as a virgin. That's progress. MW - referring to her famous "My Friend Irma" character
2
Show business has been very good to me and I'm not complaining, but some day I just wish someone would offer me a different kind of role. My closest friends admit that whenever they tell someone they know me they have to convince them that I'm really not dumb. To tell you the truth I think people are disappointed that I'm not.
#
Fact
1
Her first husband, actor Allan Nixon, was a bit part actor for the most part. Marie, the breadwinner, continued to try and find him work throughout their turbulent marriage. They worked together in her film _Linda Be Good (1947), in which he had a small role, and in the stage plays "The School for Scandal" and "Three Out of Four". In between Nixon was arrested numerous times for drunk and disorderly conduct. After a couple of separations, she finally divorced him after 8 years of marriage.
2
Marie and husband Bob Fallon adopted a four month old baby boy on December 1, 1955. She first saw the baby at a Memphis hospital while doing a benefit there.
3
Her parents divorced when she was only seven months old. Her father, Wally Wilson, died when she was five and left her $11,000 in a trust, which she eventually used to pursue her Hollywood career. It was her stepfather, Frank White, who raised Marie.
4
While several sources reveal that she was married to director Nick Grinde, who was largely responsible for Marie's early film career boost, the couple actually was at one time engaged and even announced a wedding date, but it never took place and they eventually parted, according to a Classic Images magazine article written by Marie's biographer Charles Tranberg.
5
Losing the dizzy Billie Dawn role to Judy Holliday in the film version of Born Yesterday (1950) was a particular disappointment. She, however, did the role in summer stock years later.
6
She was awarded 3 Stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Radio at 6301 Hollywood Boulevard; for Television at 6765 Hollywood Boulevard; and for Motion Pictures at 6601 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
7
Interred at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills -- Columbarium of Remembrance, Vault 61274.
Actress
Title
Year
Status
Character
Love, American Style
1972
TV Series
Margaret Cooperman (segment "Love and the Girlish Groom")
Where's Huddles?
1970
TV Series
Penny McCoy
St. Patrick's Day TV Special
1969
TV Movie
Singer
Burke's Law
1964-1965
TV Series
Ramona Specks / Chuchi Smith
My Son, the Witch Doctor
1964
TV Movie
Empire
1963
TV Series
Ernestine
1962
TV Movie
Ernestine
The Comedy Spot
1962
TV Series
Ernestine McDougal
Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation
1962
Emily Turner
The Story of Mankind
1957
Marie Antoinette
My Friend Irma
1952-1954
TV Series
Irma Peterson / Irma
Marry Me Again
1953
Doris
Never Wave at a WAC
1953
Clara Schneiderman / Danger O'Dowd
A Girl in Every Port
1952
Jane Sweet
My Friend Irma Goes West
1950
Irma Peterson
My Friend Irma
1949
Irma Peterson
Linda, Be Good
1947
Margie LaVitte
The Fabulous Joe
1947
Gorgeous Gilmore
The Hal Roach Comedy Carnival
1947
Gorgeous' Gilmore, in 'Fabulous Joe
The Private Affairs of Bel Ami
1947
Rachel Michot
No Leave, No Love
1946
Rosalind
Young Widow
1946
'Mac' McCallister
Music for Millions
1944
Marie
Shine on Harvest Moon
1944
Margie
You Can't Ration Love
1944
Bubbles Keenan
She's in the Army
1942
Susan Slatterty
Broadway
1942
Grace
Harvard, Here I Come!
1941
Zella Phipps
Flying Blind
1941
Veronica Gimble
Rookies on Parade
1941
Kitty Mulloy
Virginia
1941
Connie Potter
The Cowboy Quarterback
1939
Maizie Williams
Should Husbands Work?
1939
Myrtle
Waterfront
1939
Ruby Waters
Sweepstakes Winner
1939
Jennie Jones
Swingtime in the Movies
1938
Short
Marie Wilson (uncredited)
Broadway Musketeers
1938
Miss Connie Todd
Boy Meets Girl
1938
Susie
Fools for Scandal
1938
Myrtle
The Invisible Menace
1938
Sally
The Great Garrick
1937
Nicolle
Over the Goal
1937
Co-ed (uncredited)
Public Wedding
1937
Tessie Schultz aka Lilith Love
Melody for Two
1937
Camille Casey
King of Hockey
1936
Elsie
China Clipper
1936
Sunny Avery
Satan Met a Lady
1936
Miss Murgatroyd
The Big Noise
1936/I
Daisy
Colleen
1936
Mabel
Slide, Nellie, Slide
1936
Short
Nellie, the Softball Player
Broadway Hostess
1935
Dorothy
Miss Pacific Fleet
1935
Virginia 'Vergie' Matthews
Stars Over Broadway
1935
Molly
The Girl Friend
1935
Chorus Girl in Play (uncredited)
Ladies Crave Excitement
1935
Girl (uncredited)
My Girl Sally
1935
Short
Bum Voyage
1934
Short
Ship's Passenger at Party (uncredited)
Babes in Toyland
1934
Mary Quite Contrary (uncredited)
Down to Their Last Yacht
1934
Ship Passenger (uncredited)
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show
1957
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Shine on Harvest Moon
1944
performer: "So Dumb But So Beautiful" 1944
You Can't Ration Love
1944
performer: "How did it Happen ?"
Waterfront
1939
performer: "Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes" - uncredited
Colleen
1936
lyrics: "You Gotta Know How to Dance" 1936 - uncredited / performer: "You Gotta Know How to Dance" 1936 - uncredited
$250,000
