Marion "Jackie" Logan, a captivating auburn-haired and green-eyed actress, was hand-picked by the renowned Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. to perform in the 1920 Ziegfeld Follies. Born to architect Charles A. Logan and Boston Conservatory opera singer Marion Logan, Jackie had a rich musical background, learning to play the piano and pipe organ at a young age. She was educated in Colorado and briefly worked as a newspaper reporter before joining an acting troupe bound for Chicago, where she lied about her age and was eventually let go.
Undeterred, Jackie made her way to New York, where she made her theatrical debut in a revival of "Floradora" in 1920. The same year, she appeared as a dancer in the Follies and modeled as a "Dobbs Girl" for notable Broadway photographer Alfred Cheney Johnston. After successful auditions and mentoring from actor Ben Lyon, Jackie began her screen career in 1922, quickly transitioning to leading roles in westerns, dramas, and romantic comedies.
Her iconic performance as Mary Magdalene in Cecil B. DeMille's epic "The King of Kings" (1927) remains one of her most notable roles. Although she took vocal lessons, Jackie's career in talking pictures never gained traction. Her stunning looks and decent voice, however, made her a suitable fit for the Broadway stage, where she returned in the mid-1930s.
In the late 1930s, Jackie attempted another comeback on the London stage, co-starring with English matinee idol Owen Nares in "The Middle Watch" (1930). She then wrote and directed the crime comedy "Strictly Business" (1931) for British International Pictures, achieving modest box-office success. However, upon her return to Hollywood, she found the doors firmly shut.
It is possible that Jackie's outspoken nature may have contributed to her career decline, as she later became a determined advocate for right-wing conservatism.
