Una Merkel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Una Merkel
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Merkel in 1934
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| Born | December 10, 1903 Covington, Kentucky, U.S.
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| Died | January 2, 1986 (aged 82) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Resting place | Highland Cemetery, Fort Mitchell, Kentucky |
| Years active | 1920–1968 |
| Spouse(s) |
Ronald Burla
(m. 1932; div. 1947) |
Una Merkel (born December 10, 1903 – died January 2, 1986) was a talented American actress. She performed in plays, movies, radio shows, and on television.
Una was born in Kentucky. She started acting on stage in New York in the 1920s. In 1930, she moved to Hollywood and became a popular movie star. Some of her most famous movies include 42nd Street and Destry Rides Again. She won a Tony Award in 1956 and was nominated for an Oscar in 1961.
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Una Merkel's Early Life and Career
Una Merkel was born in Covington, Kentucky. Her parents were Bessie and Arno Merkel. When she was young, her family moved around a lot in the Southern United States. This was because her father was a traveling salesman.
When Una was 15, her family moved to Philadelphia. After about a year, they settled in New York City. There, Una started studying acting at the Alviene School of Dramatic Art.
Starting in Silent Films
Una looked a lot like the famous actress Lillian Gish. Because of this, she was offered a role as Gish's younger sister in a silent movie. However, the movie was never finished.
Una did appear in a few other silent movies. She also acted in a short film called Love's Old Sweet Song in 1923. This film was special because it used an early sound-on-film process.
Success on Broadway
Una did not become very famous in movies at first. So, she decided to try acting in plays. She found work in several important plays on Broadway, which is New York's famous theater district.
Her biggest success was in a play called Coquette in 1927. In this play, she acted alongside her idol, Helen Hayes.
Becoming a Movie Star
Famous director D. W. Griffith invited Una to Hollywood. He wanted her to play Ann Rutledge in his 1930 film Abraham Lincoln. This movie helped Una become a big star in "talkies," which were movies with sound.
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During the 1930s, Una became a popular supporting actress. She often played the funny best friend of the main female character. She supported stars like Jean Harlow, Carole Lombard, Loretta Young, and Eleanor Powell.
Una was known for her cute, doll-like looks and her strong Southern accent. She also had a very witty way of delivering her lines.
Working for MGM
Una Merkel worked for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) studio from 1932 to 1938. This was a very busy time for her. She sometimes appeared in as many as 12 movies in one year! She was also often the main actress opposite stars like Jack Benny and Harold Lloyd.
In the movie 42nd Street (1933), Una played a smart showgirl. She sang a famous song with Ginger Rogers called "Shuffle Off to Buffalo." Una also appeared in two different movie versions of The Merry Widow, in 1934 and 1952.
Famous Roles and Later Career
One of Una's most famous roles was in the Western comedy Destry Rides Again (1939). In this movie, her character, Lily Belle, had a funny "cat-fight" with another character, Frenchie. Una also played the older daughter in the 1940 film The Bank Dick.
Una's movie career slowed down in the 1940s. However, she continued to work in smaller movies and on radio shows. In 1950, she starred in the baseball comedy Kill the Umpire, which was a surprise hit.
She made a comeback in the 1950s, playing mothers and aunts. In 1956, she won a Tony Award for her role in the Broadway play The Ponder Heart. She also had a big part in the 1959 movie The Mating Game.
Una was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Summer and Smoke (1961). She also played the housekeeper, Verbena, in the popular Walt Disney movie The Parent Trap in 1961. Her last movie role was with Elvis Presley in Spinout (1966).
Una Merkel's Personal Life
Una Merkel was a Methodist her whole life.
Marriage
Una Merkel was married once and did not have any children. She married Ronald L. Burla in 1932. He was an executive at North American Aviation. They separated in 1944, and their divorce was finalized in 1947.
Una Merkel's Death and Legacy
Una Merkel passed away on January 2, 1986, in Los Angeles. She was 82 years old. She is buried in Highland Cemetery in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky, near her parents.
Una Merkel has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This star honors her contributions to the movie industry. In 1991, a special historical marker was placed in her hometown of Covington to remember her.
Images for kids
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Merkel in 1934
See also
In Spanish: Una Merkel para niños
