Mary Wickes facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mary Wickes
Wickes in the trailer for Where Angels Go, Trouble Follows (1968)
Born	Mary Isabella Wickenhauser (1910-06-13)June 13, 1910 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Died	October 22, 1995(1995-10-22) (aged 85) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting place	Shiloh Valley Cemetery in Shiloh, Illinois
Alma mater	Washington University in St. Louis
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1934–1995

Mary Wickes was a famous American actress. She was born Mary Isabella Wickenhauser on June 13, 1910. She passed away on October 22, 1995. Mary was known for playing funny supporting roles. She often played smart, professional women like nurses, teachers, or housekeepers. Her characters were often witty and made sarcastic comments.

Mary Wickes' Early Life and Education

Mary Wickes was born in St. Louis, Missouri. Her parents were Frank and Mary Isabella Wickenhauser. They loved going to the theater. They took Mary to plays even when she was very young.

Mary was a very good student. She skipped two grades in school. She graduated from Beaumont High School at age 16. She then went to Washington University in St. Louis. There, she joined the debate team. She also joined a sorority called Phi Mu.

In 1930, Mary graduated from college. She studied English literature and political science. She first planned to become a lawyer. But a favorite professor encouraged her to try acting. So, she decided to become an actress instead.

Mary Wickes' Acting Career

Mary Wickes started her acting career on Broadway. Her first show was The Farmer Takes a Wife in 1934. She acted alongside Henry Fonda. In the late 1930s, she started acting in films. She also worked on radio dramas. She was part of Orson Welles's group, The Mercury Theatre on the Air.

One of her early important film roles was in The Man Who Came to Dinner (1942). She played Nurse Preen, a role she had already played on stage.

Becoming a Comedienne

Mary Wickes (right) with Lucille Ball and Gale Gordon in an episode of Here's Lucy (1969)

Mary Wickes was tall, about 5 feet 10 inches. She also had a very unique voice. These features helped her become a great comedic actress. She gained attention in Now, Voyager (1942). She played a funny nurse who helped Bette Davis's character. She worked with Bette Davis again in June Bride.

In 1942, she also had a big role in the Abbott and Costello comedy Who Done It?. She continued to play funny, wise-cracking characters. For example, she was the stressed housekeeper in On Moonlight Bay. She also played a similar role in the holiday movie White Christmas (1954). Later, she played similar characters in two movies with Rosalind Russell. These were The Trouble with Angels and Where Angels Go, Trouble Follows.

Mary Wickes on Television

Mary Wickes started working in television in 1949. She starred as Mary Poppins in a TV version of the story. In the 1950s, she played Katie, a kind maid, in the Annette series. This show was part of The Mickey Mouse Club. She also had regular roles in TV shows like Make Room for Daddy.

She played a ballet teacher in an I Love Lucy episode called "The Ballet" (1952). Mary Wickes also helped create the character of Cruella de Vil for Disney's One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961). She was the live-action model for the animators. She also appeared in the film The Music Man (1962).

In 1961–62, she was nominated for an Emmy Award. This was for her supporting role in Mrs. G. Goes to College. She also appeared in episodes of The Donna Reed Show and The Beverly Hillbillies.

Mary Wickes (standing, left) with the cast of Doc (1975)

Mary Wickes was a close friend of Lucille Ball. She often appeared as a guest star on Ball's shows. These included I Love Lucy, The Lucy Show, and Here's Lucy. She was also a regular on the children's show Sigmund and the Sea Monsters. She appeared on many other popular TV shows. These included M*A*S*H, Columbo, and Murder, She Wrote. This made her a very recognizable actress.

Later Career Success

Mary Wickes' career became very busy again in the late 1980s and 1990s. She played the mother of Shirley MacLaine's character in Postcards from the Edge (1990). She also played Marie Murkin in The Father Dowling Mysteries TV series.

One of her most famous roles was Sister Mary Lazarus. She played this character in Sister Act (1992) and Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993). Her last film role was in Little Women (1994).

Mary Wickes' Death and Legacy

Mary Wickes passed away on October 22, 1995. She was 85 years old. She had been in the hospital and broke her hip. She died from problems after surgery.

Her final film role was a voice role. She voiced the character Laverne in Disney's animated movie The Hunchback of Notre Dame. This movie was released after she died in 1996. She had almost finished recording her lines. Another actress, Jane Withers, finished the last few lines for her.

Mary Wickes was buried next to her parents in Shiloh, Illinois. In 2004, she was honored. She was added to the St. Louis Walk of Fame.

Mary Wickes' Personal Life

Mary Wickes left a large amount of money. She gave $2 million to Washington University in St. Louis. This money created a special fund for television, film, and theater arts. It was named the Isabella and Frank Wickenhauser Memorial Library Fund, in honor of her parents. Mary Wickes was a lifelong member of the Republican Party.

Filmography

Film

Short films

Television

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Mary Wickes para niños