Marvel Rea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marvel Rea
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ca. 1919
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Marvel Luciel Rea
November 9, 1901 Ainsworth, Nebraska, U.S.
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| Died | June 17, 1937 (aged 35) Los Angeles, U.S.
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| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1917–1932 |
| Spouse(s) | Henry Page Wells (1918–1922) Edwin J. Wilkinson (1936–1937) |
Marvel Rea (born November 9, 1901 – died June 17, 1937) was an American actress who starred in silent films. She was well-known for her work with actor Ford Sterling. Marvel Rea was also one of Mack Sennett's famous "Bathing Beauties."
Contents
Her Early Life
Marvel Luciel Rea was the third of four children. Her parents were Thomas John Rea and Nellie Mae Thurman. In 1910, Marvel's family moved from Nebraska to California.
She began acting in silent films in 1918. She joined the Keystone Film Company. There, she became one of the popular Sennett Bathing Beauties. Her brother, Thomas Rea, also later became involved in films.
Becoming a Film Star
Marvel Rea appeared in many movies between 1917 and 1921. One of her films was Her Screen Idol (1918). In this movie, she acted alongside Ford Sterling and Louise Fazenda. The film was a funny story about popular movie stars. Director Mack Sennett used a special technique in this movie. He showed a play happening within the movie itself.
Marvel Rea had more than twenty-five film roles. Some of her other movies include A Clever Dummy (1917), The Summer Girls (1918), and East Lynne with Variations (1919). She also appeared in When Love Is Blind (1919) and The Simp (1920). Her death certificate shows she worked as an actress for the Fox Film Corporation until 1932.
Her Marriages
Marvel Rea married Henry Page Wells on October 25, 1918. They separated about a month later. She later filed for divorce in August 1922.
In August 1936, she became engaged to Edwin J. Wilkinson. They got married at an unknown date. They remained married until her death in 1937.
A Difficult Time
On September 2, 1936, Marvel Rea was walking in Los Angeles. Three young men offered her a ride home. When she said no, they attacked her. They forced her into a truck and took her to a different location. She was hurt during the attack. It took her several hours to recover enough to get help.
The police arrested three suspects. They were questioned about the incident. In January 1937, the three young men were found guilty. They were sentenced to prison terms. However, in 1939, the men were released from prison. This happened due to technical reasons regarding their trials. They had served about three years.
Her Later Life and Death
Marvel Rea died on June 17, 1937, in Los Angeles. She is buried at Pacific Crest Cemetery in Redondo Beach, California. She rests there with her family. Her death certificate lists her name as Marvel L. Wilkinson. However, she is buried under her birth name, Marvel Luciel Rea.
Movies She Was In
- Whose Baby? (1917)
- A Clever Dummy (1917)
- The Pullman Bride (1917)
See also
In Spanish: Marvel Rea para niños
