Marilyn Llewelling, a blonde, sultry-looking model from Fort Worth, Texas, began her acting career in 1940 under the stage name Marilyn Merrick. She landed roles in two Warner Bros. features and one short film, as well as appearances in "Dr. Christian Meets the Women" and "Ragtime Cowboy Joe".
Although not a part of the WAMPAS Baby Stars selection, Marilyn Merrick was chosen as one of the 13 "Baby Stars" by the Motion Pictures Publicist Association in 1940. This selection was featured in a series of short films called "Meet the Stars", with one of the entries being "Baby Stars".
The 13 starlets selected for "Baby Stars" were Ella Bryan, Lucia Carroll, Peggy Diggins, Lorraine Elliott, Jayne Hazard, Joan Leslie, Kay Leslie, Gay Parkes, Lois Ranson, Shelia Ryan, Patricia Van Clive, Tanya Widrin, and Marilyn Merrick. Two months later, in March 1941, Republic Pictures Corporation signed Marilyn Merrick to a Term Players Contract, changing her name to Lynn Merrick.
At 21 years old, Lynn Merrick went on to make 22 films for Republic Pictures until her contract expired on March 30, 1943. She was the leading lady in 17 of those films, often opposite Don "Red" Barry in 16 of them. After her contract expired, Columbia Pictures used Lynn Merrick in 17 films over the next three years, primarily as a lead or second lead in the majority of them, with a significant number of appearances in 1943 and 1944.
