Marion Lorne facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Marion Lorne
Lorne in 1957
Born	Marion Lorne MacDougal or MacDougall August 12, 1883 West Pittston, Pennsylvania
Died	May 9, 1968 (aged 84) Manhattan
Resting place	Ferncliff Cemetery, Hartsdale, New York
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1905–1968
Spouse(s)	Walter C. Hackett ​ ​ (m. 1911; died 1944)​

Lorne with Louise Drew in the play The Florist Shop (1909)

Marion Lorne MacDougal (or MacDougall) was an American actress. She was born on August 12, 1883, and passed away on May 9, 1968. She worked in theatre, movies, and television.

Marion Lorne had a long career on stage in both New York and London. Later in her life, she started acting in films and TV shows. She became very well-known for her role as Aunt Clara in the TV comedy series Bewitched. She played this character from 1964 until her death in 1968. After she passed away, she was given an Emmy Award for her amazing acting in Bewitched.

Early Life and Acting Start

Marion Lorne was born in West Pittston, Pennsylvania, a small town in Pennsylvania. Her father was William Lorne MacDougall, a doctor, and her mother was Jane Louise Oliver. Her parents had moved from Scotland and England. She also had a younger brother named Lorne Taylor MacDougall.

Marion studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. This is where she learned the skills that would help her become a successful actress.

A Career on Stage and Screen

Marion Lorne first appeared on Broadway (a famous theater district in New York City) in 1905. She also performed in theaters in London, England. She had a very successful career on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.

In London, she even had her own theater called the Whitehall. There, she was the main star in plays written by her husband, Walter C. Hackett. All of her shows at the Whitehall Theatre ran for at least 125 nights, which means they were very popular!

Marion Lorne made her first full-length movie when she was in her late 60s. It was called Strangers on a Train (1951), directed by the famous Alfred Hitchcock. Before that, she appeared in some short films, like Success (1931).

Television Roles

In the early days of television, Marion Lorne played Mrs. Gurney, a confused English teacher, on the show Mister Peepers. She was on this show from 1952 to 1955.

From 1957 to 1958, she also starred in the NBC sitcom Sally. In this show, she played an older widow who owned a department store. Even though she was afraid of live TV shows, she sometimes appeared on them to promote her movies. She also made regular appearances on The Garry Moore Show from 1958 to 1964.

Her most famous role was her last one: Aunt Clara in Bewitched. Aunt Clara was a sweet witch who was losing her magic powers because she was getting old. Her spells often went wrong, which made for funny moments! Aunt Clara usually visited by coming down the chimney. Her favorite hobby was collecting doorknobs, and she often brought her collection with her. In real life, Marion Lorne also collected doorknobs, and some of them were even used as props on the show!

Later Life and Legacy

Marion Lorne appeared in 27 episodes of Bewitched. She passed away from a heart attack in her Manhattan apartment on May 9, 1968. She was 84 years old. Her death happened before the fifth season of Bewitched began filming.

Remembering Aunt Clara

After Marion Lorne died, the creators of Bewitched decided not to replace her character, Aunt Clara. They felt that no one else could play her. Instead, another funny actress named Alice Ghostley joined the show as "Esmeralda," a different kind of older witch whose magic also went a bit wild sometimes.

Marion Lorne received an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her work on Bewitched. This award was given to her after her death. The star of Bewitched, Elizabeth Montgomery, accepted the award for her. Marion Lorne is buried at Ferncliff Cemetery in Greenburgh, New York.

Personal Life

In 1911, Marion Lorne married Walter C. Hackett, who was a playwright. They were married until he passed away in 1944. They did not have any children.

Film and Television Work

Theatre Work

• Dance Me a Song (1950)
• Harvey (1944–1949)
• Off With The Motley (1937-1938)
• London After Dark (1937)
• The Fugitives (1936)
• Espionage (1935-1936)
• Afterwards (1933)
• The White Sisters (1933)
• The Gay Adventure (1932)
• Road House (1932)
• Take a Chance (1931)
• Captain Applejack (1931)
• Good Losers (1931)
• It Pays to Advertise (1930-1931)
• Hyde Park Corner (1930)
• The Freedom of the Seas (1929)
• Sorry You've Been Troubled (1929)
• Regeneration (1928)
• Other Men's Wives (1928)
• The Wicked Earl (1928)
• The Barton Mystery (1927)
• 77 Park Lane (1927)
• 77 Rue Chalgrin (1925)
• Ambrose Applejohn's Adventure (1921-1923)
• Mr. Todd's Experiment (1920)
• The Barton Mystery (1917)
• It Pays to Advertise (1915-1916)
• Don't Weaken (1914)
• The Little Minister (1910)
• The Florist Shop (1909)
• The Devil (1908)
• Here Tonight (1908)
• Mrs. Temple's Telegram (1905)

Awards and Nominations

See also