Maggie McNamara facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Maggie McNamara
Studio Publicity Photo, 1953.
Born	Marguerite McNamara (1928-06-18)June 18, 1928 New York City, U.S.
Died	February 18, 1978(1978-02-18) (aged 49) New York City, U.S.
Resting place	Saint Charles Cemetery
Education	Textile High School
Occupation	Actress, model
Years active	1951–1964
Spouse(s)	David Swift (m.1951; div. 195?)

Marguerite "Maggie" McNamara (born June 18, 1928 – died February 18, 1978) was an American actress and model. She worked in theater, movies, and television. Maggie started her career as a successful teenage fashion model. She became well-known for her role as Patty O'Neill in the play The Moon Is Blue in 1951.

She also starred in the 1953 film version of The Moon Is Blue. For this role, she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress. After this, she appeared in only three more films. She had a few guest roles on TV shows in the early 1960s. After 1964, she stopped acting. She then worked as a typist in New York City for the rest of her life.

Maggie McNamara's Early Life

Maggie McNamara was born in New York City. She was one of four children. Her father was from Ireland, and her mother was born in England. Maggie had two sisters, Helen and Cathleen, and a brother named Robert. Her parents divorced when she was nine years old.

She went to Textile High School in New York. As a teenager, Maggie was discovered by a modeling agent. He saw her photos at a friend's house. With her mother's support, Maggie joined his agency. She began working as a teen model while still in high school. She became one of the most successful teen models of her time. Her pictures appeared in popular magazines like Seventeen, Life, Harper's Bazaar, and Vogue.

In April 1950, Maggie was on the cover of Life magazine for a second time. A movie producer named David O. Selznick saw her on the cover. He offered her a movie contract. But Maggie decided to turn it down. She wanted to continue modeling and study dance and acting instead.

Maggie McNamara's Acting Career

Maggie McNamara started her professional acting career on January 29, 1951. She performed in a play called The King of Friday's Men in Princeton, New Jersey. This play later moved to Broadway in New York City. This was Maggie's first time acting on Broadway.

Her next role was in the play You Can't Take It with You in March and April 1951. Soon after, she joined the national tour of The Moon Is Blue. She played the role of Patty O'Neill. This play was already a big hit on Broadway. In June 1952, Maggie left the tour. She took over the role of Patty O'Neill in the Broadway production.

The Moon Is Blue Film

In 1953, Maggie McNamara went to Hollywood. She played Patty O'Neill again in the movie version of The Moon Is Blue. This film caused some discussion because of its content. Because of this, it did not get the usual approval from the MPAA. However, the studio, United Artists, decided to release the movie anyway.

The film was banned in some states like Kansas and Ohio. Despite the challenges, The Moon Is Blue was a success. It earned $3.5 million at the box office. Maggie's performance was highly praised. She received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. She also got a BAFTA nomination for Most Promising Newcomer to Film.

Later Films and TV Roles

After The Moon Is Blue, Maggie signed with 20th Century Fox. In 1954, she starred in the romantic drama film Three Coins in the Fountain. This movie was well-liked and made Maggie even more popular. The next year, she acted alongside Richard Burton in Prince of Players.

Even though her career started well, Maggie made only one more film after Prince of Players. Her career slowed down for a few reasons. She reportedly did not want to move to Los Angeles. She also preferred not to do publicity for her films. She also didn't like posing for certain types of photos that studios often expected.

After 1955, Maggie did not take any movie roles for several years. In 1962, she returned to acting in a Broadway play called Step on a Crack. Later that year, she performed in Neil Simon's play Come Blow Your Horn. In 1963, director Otto Preminger cast her in a small role in The Cardinal. This was her final movie role.

In 1963, Maggie also started working in television. She was a guest star on an episode of Ben Casey. She also played the main character in an episode of The Twilight Zone called "Ring-a-Ding Girl". Maggie's last acting appearance was in July 1964. It was an episode of The Alfred Hitchcock Hour called "Body in the Barn".

Maggie McNamara's Personal Life

In March 1951, Maggie McNamara married actor and director David Swift. They did not have any children. The couple later divorced. Maggie never remarried after her divorce.

Later Years and Passing

After her last acting role in 1964, Maggie McNamara lived a more private life. For the next 15 years, she worked as a typist to support herself. She also spent time writing scripts. One of her scripts, called The Mighty Dandelion, was bought by a production company.

Maggie McNamara passed away on February 18, 1978, in her apartment in New York City. She is buried in Saint Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale, New York.

Filmography

See also

In Spanish: Maggie McNamara para niños